SUPPORT BRACKET
A support bracket assembly for supporting a hanging item may include at least one first mounting bracket configured to contact a vertically extending object at a first location, and a load supporting member positioned at a horizontal distance around the object and supported by the at least one first mounting bracket. The at least one first mounting bracket may be adjustably or slidably connected to the load supporting member. At least one second mounting bracket may also be provided and may be adjustably connected to the load supporting member and configured to contact the object at a second location.
The present invention generally relates to a support bracket assembly and particularly to a support bracket assembly mountable to a vertically extending object such as a pole or a tree and capable of supporting hanging items such as a plant or wind chime.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ARTMany support brackets are constructed of iron or steel and may be bulky and unattractive depending on the particular construction. Support brackets and the like may also have limited uses due to their design and ability to support a limited weight or type of item. Typically, support brackets are designed for a particular function for attachment to a specific structure. They are therefore not adaptable or versatile to allow for attachment to structures of varying sizes. In addition, support structures may not be configured to support multiple items such as multiple hanging plants or decorative items.
Thus, there is a desire and need in the art to provide a versatile and robust support bracket that will provide support for hanging a variety of different types and shapes of items, while at the same time incorporates attractive and decorative features.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONAccordingly, the present invention provides a support bracket assembly mountable to a vertically extending object such as a pole or a tree, and capable of supporting hanging items.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a support bracket assembly for supporting a hanging item includes at least one mounting bracket configured to contact a vertically extending object. A load supporting member is positioned at a horizontal distance around the object and connected to the at least one mounting bracket.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a support bracket assembly includes a load supporting member and at least one first mounting bracket configured to contact a vertically extending object at a first location and adjustably connected to the load supporting member. At least one second mounting bracket is also included and is connected to the load supporting member and configured to contact the vertically extending object at a second location.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a support bracket assembly includes a load supporting member and a plurality of mounting brackets adjustably connected to the load supporting member and configured to contact a vertically extending object.
Other features of the present invention will become more apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSThe foregoing features, as well as other features, will become apparent with reference to the description and figures below, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in which:
The present invention generally relates to a support bracket assembly configured to support hanging items and attachable to an object such as a pole, post or tree.
The primary components of a support bracket assembly 20 of the present invention may be constructed of a variety of different types of material including steel, iron or other materials suited for the desired load. Support bracket assembly 20 may also be constructed of plastic or other materials capable of bearing the load of items being supported on support bracket assembly 20. The primary components of support bracket assembly 20 may be constructed of flat stock material or tubular, and may be surface coated with a variety of different treatments to change the aesthetic appearance of support bracket assembly 20. For instance, support bracket assembly 20 may be painted any color to meet a user's needs or coated with Patina to induce a rusted appearance.
As shown in the embodiment in
Load supporting member 22 may be positioned around object 21 and spaced a horizontal distance from the object such that load supporting member 22 does not contact object 21. When mounted on object 21, support bracket assembly 20 is held in position by the gravitational force of first mounting brackets 30 forced against object 21 when items are hung on support bracket assembly 20. The weight also forces first mounting brackets 30 closer against object 21, more securely holding support bracket assembly 20 in position. To further secure support bracket assembly 20 to an object 21 such as a tree, a holding member may be included on first mounting bracket 30, such as a protrusion 100 shown in
Load supporting member 22 may be round, oval, square or any suitable shape that will allow it to be positioned around the particular object 21. Load supporting member 22 may also be constructed as two or more separate components connected together by a variety of different attachment methods. As shown in
As shown in
Hook bracket 34 can be attached to load supporting member 22 using a bolt 36 as shown in
To further illustrate the versatility of support bracket assembly 20, an alternate embodiment of hook bracket 34 may include an optional tube member 80 as shown in
Support bracket assembly 20 may also include one or more hanger brackets 32 mounted to load supporting member 22 as shown in
In yet another embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
In the embodiment of
As with the other embodiments, when mounted on object 21, support bracket assembly 20 is held in position by the gravitational force of first mounting brackets 30 being forced against object 21. In this embodiment, second mounting brackets 24 are also forced against object 21. First mounting brackets 30 may also include a holding member such as protrusion 100, nail or pin 108 or rubber pads 102 as in the previous embodiments to further secure support bracket assembly 20 to an object 21.
Other features of the present invention may include an alternate embodiment of load supporting member 22 as illustrated in
In yet another embodiment shown in
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the present invention attempts to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A support bracket assembly for supporting a hanging item, comprising:
- at least one mounting bracket configured to contact a vertically extending object; and
- a load supporting member positioned at a horizontal distance around said object and connected to said at least one mounting bracket.
2. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said load supporting member includes a first and second support member connected together.
3. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second support member are threadably connected at at least one location.
4. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second support member are slidably connected at at least one location.
5. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said slidable connection includes a pin on one of said first and second support members and a key shaped slot in the other of said first and second support members.
6. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting bracket is adjustably connected to said load supporting member.
7. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 1, further including a hook bracket connecting said at least one mounting bracket to said load supporting member.
8. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said hook bracket is adjustably connected to said at least one mounting bracket.
9. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said hook bracket is threadably connected to said load supporting member.
10. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting bracket is forced against said object when the item is hung from one of said load supporting member and said at least one mounting brackets.
11. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said load supporting member includes at least one extending bracket and said at least one mounting bracket is connected to said at least one extending bracket.
12. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said hook bracket includes a first set of radially arranged grooves that interconnect with a second set of radially arranged grooves on said first mounting bracket, said grooves configured to position said first mounting bracket at a predetermined angle and vertical location relative to said load supporting member.
13. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said hook bracket includes a tube member configured to mount a pole.
14. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 1, further including a hook bracket connected to said load supporting member and configured to mount a pole.
15. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting bracket includes a holding member configured to contact said object.
16. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 15, wherein said holding member includes a protrusion.
17. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 15, wherein said holding member includes a rubber pad.
18. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 15, wherein said holding member includes a nail.
19. A support bracket assembly, comprising:
- a load supporting member positioned at a horizontal distance around a vertically extending object;
- at least one first mounting bracket configured to contact said object at a first location and connected to said load supporting member; and
- at least one second mounting bracket configured to contact the vertically extending object at a second location and connected to said load supporting member.
20. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 19, wherein said first mounting bracket is adjustably connected to said load supporting member.
21. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 19, wherein said at least one second mounting bracket includes an arcuate shaped brace and at least one arm member, wherein said arcuate shaped brace contacts said vertically extending object.
22. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 19, wherein said at least one first mounting bracket is forced against said object when an item is hung on the support bracket assembly.
23. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 19, wherein said at least one second mounting bracket is forced against said object when an item is hung on the support bracket assembly.
24. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 19, further including a hook bracket connected to said load supporting member including a tube member configured to mount a pole.
25. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 19, wherein said at least one first and second mounting brackets are adjustably connected to said load supporting member.
26. A support bracket assembly, comprising:
- a load supporting member;
- a plurality of mounting brackets adjustably connected to said load supporting member and configured to contact a vertically extending object.
27. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 26, wherein said load supporting member is positioned at a horizontal distance around said object.
28. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 26, further including a hook bracket connected to said load supporting member including a tube member configured to hold a pole.
29. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 26, wherein said mounting brackets are configured to support hanging items.
30. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 26, wherein said plurality of mounting brackets is forced against said object when an item is hung from the support bracket assembly.
31. A support bracket assembly as defined in claim 26, wherein said plurality of mounting brackets includes a tooth configured to contact said object.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 11, 2003
Publication Date: Feb 17, 2005
Inventor: Perry Schoneboom (Bronson, MI)
Application Number: 10/604,693