Mounting assembly

Abstract

A mounting assembly is provided for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member. The mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket for attachment to the structural member, and a suspension bracket defining a cavity for positioning of at least a portion of the object therein. The suspension bracket is operably coupled to the mounting bracket so as to enable adjustable positioning of the suspension bracket with respect to the mounting bracket.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a mounting assembly for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a mounting assembly is provided for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member. The mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket for attachment to the structural member, and a suspension bracket defining a cavity for positioning of at least a portion of the object therein. The suspension bracket is operably coupled to the mounting bracket so as to enable adjustable positioning of the suspension bracket with respect to the mounting bracket.

In another aspect, a mounting bracket is provided for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member. The mounting bracket includes a base portion adapted for coupling an object thereto, and a pair of opposed wall members extending from the base portion for attachment to the structural member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings illustrating embodiments of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a mounting assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention mounted to a mounting structure.

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a suspension bracket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a portion of the view of FIG. 1 showing the process of attachment of the mounting assembly to the mounting structure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a mounting assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention mounted to a mounting structure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a mounting assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a mounting assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a mounting assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a suspension bracket coupled to a connecting member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an embodiment of a suspension bracket in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a mounting assembly 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting bracket 12. Bracket 12 has a base portion 14 and a pair of opposed resiliently deflectable wall members 16, 18 extending from opposite ends of the base portion to form, in conjunction with base portion 14, a cavity 88.

Wall member 16 has a first wall portion 22 and a first projection 24 projecting from first wall portion 22 into the cavity. A second wall portion 26 extends from first projection 24 and is substantially parallel with first wall portion 22. A second projection 28 extends from an end of second wall portion 26 into the cavity. Second projection 28 is angled so as to form a lead-in surface for a beam 40 or other structural member to which the mounting assembly is to be attached, in a manner described in more detail below. The angle ø₁ between second projection 28 and second wall portion 26 may vary from approximately 0° to approximately 90°. In a particular embodiment, the angle is approximately 45°.

Wall member 18 also has a first wall portion 30 and a first projection 32 projecting from first wall portion 30 into the cavity. A second wall portion 34 extends from first projection 32 and is substantially parallel with first wall portion 30. A second projection 36 extends from an end of second wall portion 34 into the cavity. Second projection 36 is angled so as to form a lead-in surface for beam 40 or other structural member to which the mounting assembly is to be attached, in a manner described in more detail below. The angle ø₂ between second projection 36 and second wall portion 34 may vary from approximately 0° to approximately 90°. In a particular embodiment, the angle is approximately 45°.

The structural member 40 to which the mounting assembly is attached can be a beam, channel section, or any other structure suitable for mounting thereon any of the mounting assembly embodiments described herein.

In the embodiment show in FIGS. 1 and 3, both of wall members 16 and 18 include an angled projection extending from a respective second wall portion. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), only one of wall members 16 and 18 has an angled projection extending from the second wall portion.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, first projections 24 and 32 are arcuate. However, other shapes of projections are also contemplated, depending on the requirements of a particular application. Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, two opposed first projections are employed. In an alternative embodiment, a single first projection extends from one of wall members 16 and 18 to form the hard stop for the structural member.

As seen in FIG. 1, second projection 36 of second wall member 18 and second projection 28 of first wall member 16 are positioned in opposition to each other to form opposed lead-in surfaces for facilitating insertion of the beam 40 or other structural member into the cavity 88. In addition, first projection 32 of second wall member 18 and first projection 24 of first wall member 16 are positioned in opposition to each other to form a neck area 37. Neck 37 forms a hard stop for a structural member 40 inserted into the cavity, thereby limiting the depth of insertion of the member into the cavity.

Bracket 12 may be fabricated from any suitable material, for example, a metal, metal alloy, or polymer. Bracket 12 may be fabricated using any suitable method, such a forming or molding. The method(s) and materials used to fabricate the bracket may depend on such factors as the magnitude of the load to be supported by the bracket and other end use conditions.

A connecting member 42 such as a shaft, rod, bolt, or other suitable member extends from the mounting bracket 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the connecting member is a shaft having a plurality of threads formed therealong to provide a plurality of engagement surfaces for a detent (described in greater detail below). Alternatively, engagement surfaces for the detent may be positioned at discrete points along the connecting member by forming notches spaced apart at predetermined points along the connecting member. Connecting member 42 can be any desired length.

A clearance hole (not shown) is formed in mounting bracket base portion 14 for receiving shaft 42 therethrough, and shaft 42 is inserted through the base portion hole and secured to bracket 12 by a nut 44 applied to the shaft end. A washer 46 may be placed over the shaft to rest against bracket base portion 14, thereby providing a bearing surface for the nut 44. A second washer 48 and a second nut 50 may be applied to the shaft proximate bracket base portion 14 and outside the cavity formed by the bracket. Alternatively, a connecting member 42 as previously described may be welded to base portion 14, rather than attached by a washer, nut, or other hardware.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, by rotating a first one of nuts 44 and 50 with respect to shaft 42, the length of the portion of the shaft 42 extending from the mounting bracket may be controlled. When the desired extension length has been achieved, the first nut is positioned so as to bear against base portion 14. The second one of nuts 44 and 50 may then be rotated with respect to shaft 42 until the second nut and washer bear against base portion 14, thereby securing the shaft in position with respect to the mounting bracket to maintain the shaft extension at the desired length.

Referring to FIG. 7, in an alternative embodiment, a nut or other threaded member 44′ is welded or otherwise suitably secured to mounting bracket 12 over the through hole formed in bracket base portion 14 to produce a mounting bracket assembly 12′. A shaft (not shown) is fed through the base portion hole to threadedly engage threaded member 44′, as previously described. The length of the portion of the shaft 42 extending from the mounting bracket may be controlled simply by rotating the shaft relative to threaded member 44′. If desired, a second nut or threaded member (not shown in FIG. 7) similar to nut 50 of FIG. 1 may be positioned along the shaft below the bracket base portion (i.e., outside of cavity 88 shown in FIG. 1) to positively secure the shaft in position with respect to the mounting bracket, once a desired position has been attained.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a suspension bracket 52 is slidably coupled to shaft 42. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, suspension bracket 52 forms a continuous enclosure or cavity 52a with open end portions for receiving a portion of a beam 101 (for example, a wood 2″×4″) or other member therethrough, to enable hanging or suspension of beam 101 from structural member 40 via the mounting assembly.

Referring again to FIG. 1, suspension bracket 52 includes a pair of ears 56, 58. Ear 56 has a hole 56a formed therethrough, and ear 58 has a hole 58a formed therethrough. Ears 56, 58 are arranged such that holes 56a and 58a are in alignment with each other, to facilitate extension of shaft 42 therethrough. Holes 56a and 58a are dimensioned so as to provide clearance with shaft 42, thereby permitting shaft 42 to pass easily through both aligned holes. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, ears 56, 58 are affixed to suspension bracket 52 using any suitable method, for example, welding. In one embodiment, ears 56 and 58 are formed by bending portions of a metallic strip 90 as shown in FIG. 1 and welding or otherwise suitably attaching the portion of the strip located between the ears 56, 58 to suspension bracket 52. Slidable engagement of ears 56, 58 with shaft 42 enables travel of the ears and the attached suspension bracket 52 along the shaft, in a manner described in greater detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in another embodiment, ears 56′ and 58′ similar to those previously described are formed into the suspension bracket 152.

Referring to FIG. 2, in an alternative embodiment, a suspension bracket 52′ is open along one side thereof to define a cavity 52a′ and to permit insertion of the beam 101 into the cavity via the open side of the suspension bracket. Other cross-sectional configurations of the suspension bracket 52 are also contemplated, depending on the requirements of a particular application. FIG. 2 shows ears 56 and 58 as previously described welded or otherwise suitably attached to bracket 52′.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a suspension bracket 252 forms a continuous enclosure with open end portions similar to bracket 52 shown in FIG. 1. Suspension bracket 252 is slidably coupled to a connecting member 42 (in this case, a threaded shaft) via a through hole (not shown) in the suspension bracket through which the bracket is inserted. Suspension bracket 252 is secured in a desired position along the shaft by a nut 112 or other suitable hardware, and the connecting member is attached to mounting bracket 12 using a nut 111 or other suitable hardware. Alternatively, connecting member 42 can be attached to either (or both) of mounting bracket 12 and suspension bracket 252 by welding or other suitable means.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a suspension bracket 252 as shown in FIG. 8 is suspended from the mounting bracket by the head of a bolt 113 inserted through a hole formed in the suspension bracket. The threaded end of bolt 113 is threadedly engaged with a threaded member as previously described to attach the connecting member to the mounting bracket.

Referring to FIG. 10, in another alternative embodiment, a suspension bracket 152 similar to that shown in FIG. 2 is incorporated into a threaded shaft as previously described for insertion through a hole formed in an embodiment of the mounting bracket 12, and threaded engagement with a threaded member positioned over the hole as seen in FIGS. 1, 4, and 7. Bracket 152 may be formed by simply bending a portion of a threaded shaft to provide a “hook” or other shape suitable for retaining therein an object to be suspended or mounted using an embodiment of the mounting assembly.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a detent 60 is positioned along shaft 42 between ears 56 and 58. Detent 60 has a first leg 62 and a second leg 64 extending from first leg 62. Shaft 42 extends through a clearance hole 68 formed in second leg 64. First leg 62 resides in a corner or bearing structure 70 defined by first ear 56 and the portion of the suspension bracket from which the first ear projects.

A spring member 66 is compressed between detent second leg 64 and second ear 58, so as to bear against and exert opposing forces on the detent second leg 64 and ear 58. As seen in FIG. 1, spring member 66 urges detent second leg 64 in the direction indicated by arrow “A”. This causes the detent to pivot about corner 70. This, in turn, skews the detent clearance hole 68 such that opposing edges of the hole engage the threads formed along shaft 42, effectively removing or negating the clearance between the shaft and the edge of the hole. In this configuration, the detent is gripping the shaft and acting to retard sliding movement of the suspension bracket, ears, and detent along the shaft. However, in the case of a threaded shaft, it is possible in this condition to move the suspension bracket, ears, and detent along the shaft by rotating the suspension bracket/ears/detent combination about the shaft (i.e., “screwing” the suspension bracket/ears/detent combination along the shaft). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, spring member 66 is a coil spring. However, other types of spring members suitable for the purposes described herein may also be used.

In an embodiment (not shown) where a shaft having one or more spaced apart notches formed therein is used rather than a threaded shaft, the edges of detent hole 68 would engage one of the notches as described above.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment in which ears 56′ and 58′ are formed into the suspension bracket 352 and a wall 354 extends between ears 56′ and 58′. An intersection between wall 354 and ear 56′ forms a corner 70′ about which the detent 60 pivots as previously described. Wall 354 may extend across the entire span between ears 56′ and 58′ as shown in FIG. 6, or the wall may extend only a portion of the distance between the ears, sufficient to define a corner 70′ permitting nesting of a portion of the detent therein for pivoting as described.

In order to slide the suspension bracket/detent combination along the shaft in the direction indicated by arrow “E”, detent second leg 64 is rotated by a user in the direction indicated by arrow “B”, pivoting the detent about corner 70 until the detent second leg is substantially perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis X. In this configuration, the edges of detent hole 68 are disengaged from the shaft and the clearance between detent hole 68 and the shaft is reestablished. This permits the shaft to move freely through ear holes 56a and 58a and also through detent hole 68, thereby allowing the suspension bracket/ears/detent combination to slide freely along the shaft.

When a desired position of the suspension bracket/ears/detent combination on the shaft is reached, the detent is released by the user, allowing spring member 66 to urge detent second leg 64 in the direction of arrow “A” and causing the detent hole edges to engage the shaft as previously described. This secures the suspension bracket/ears/detent combination in the desired position along the shaft.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in order to slide the suspension bracket/detent combination along the shaft in the direction indicated by arrow “A”, a force is applied to the suspension bracket/detent combination in the direction of arrow “A”. This applied force tends to push detent second leg 64 in the direction of arrow “E”, forcing the detent to pivot about corner 70 and disengaging the edges of detent hole 68 from the threads formed on shaft 42. This enables the suspension bracket/detent combination to slide along the shaft in direction “A”. Re-engagement between the shaft threads and the edges of detent hole 68 is reestablished by applying a force to the suspension bracket/detent combination in the direction of arrow “E”, which causes the detent to rotate in a direction opposite direction “B”.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, mounting assembly 10 is mounted to beam 40 by moving the assembly toward the beam so that angled second projections 28 and 36 engage the beam. As the assembly is urged in the direction indicated by arrow “C”, wall members 16 and 18 (or portions thereof) resiliently deflect in the directions indicated by arrows “D”, permitting insertion of beam 40 into the cavity formed by bracket 12. When beam 40 has passed the angled second projections 28 and 36 into the cavity, wall members 16 and 18 (or the deflected portions thereof) snap back into undeflected or substantially undeflected positions. Angled second projections 28 and 36 then act to prevent withdrawal of beam 40 from the bracket cavity, thus securing the mounting assembly to the beam.

Opposed second wall portions 26 and 34 or wall members 16 and 18) may be of any lengths suitable for enabling a given structural member to be completely inserted into the cavity past opposed second projections 28 and 34, such that wall members 16 and 18 snap back toward each other after insertion of the structural member. This forces second projections 28 and 34 to close over the structural member, thereby securing the member within the cavity. For example, the lengths of second wall portions 26 and 34 (or wall members 16 and 18) may be adjusted to receive therein a 2″×4″ wood beam, a 2″×2″ wood beam, or any of a variety of structural members having other dimensions or configurations.

Multiple mounting assemblies as shown herein may be mounted along a single beam or structural member to enable hanging of an elongated beam 101 therefrom.

Referring to FIG. 4, in another embodiment, projections 28 and 36 are omitted from wall members 16 and 30, and opposed holes are formed in wall members 16 and 18 for receiving therethrough one or more bolts 99 which extend through beam 40 to secure the mounting assembly to the beam. This embodiment may be employed in instances where an upper surface of beam 40 is unavailable for engagement by projections 28 and 36, where there is insufficient space in the surrounding structure to accommodate projections 28 and 36, or in other instances where the projections are impractical. In addition, bolt 99 may also be employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to provide added strength to the connection between the mounting structure and the beam 40. Alternatively, to aid in securing the mounting assembly to the beam 40, one or more separate screws or lag bolts may be inserted into either or both sides of beam 40. These screws or lag bolts would extend into the beam but not through the beam as in bolt 99 of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, in another embodiment, the detent previously described is eliminated, and the suspension bracket 152 is positioned along shaft 42 and secured in position using nuts or other threaded members 98.

It will be understood that the foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and that the various structural and operational features herein disclosed are susceptible to a number of modifications, none of which departs from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member, the mounting assembly comprising:

a mounting bracket for attachment to the structural member; and

a suspension bracket defining a cavity for positioning of at least a portion of the object therein, the suspension bracket being operably coupled to the mounting bracket so as to enable adjustable positioning of the suspension bracket with respect to the mounting bracket.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket is coupled to the suspension bracket by a connecting member attached to the mounting bracket and from which the suspension bracket is suspended.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 2 wherein the suspension bracket includes at least one hole formed therein through which the connecting member extends, to guide motion of the suspension bracket along the connecting member.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 3 further comprising a detent mechanism for preventing movement of the suspension bracket in a first direction with respect to the mounting bracket.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 4 wherein the detent mechanism comprises:

a detent having a first portion abutting a bearing structure formed by a portion of the suspension bracket, and a second portion extending from the first portion and having a hole formed therein through which the connecting member extends; and

a spring member compressed between the detent and the suspension bracket so as to urge pivoting of the detent in a first rotational direction about the bearing structure, thereby causing an edge portion of the hole to engage a portion of the connecting member to prevent motion of the suspension bracket along the connecting member in the first direction.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 5 wherein a force applied to the suspension bracket in a second direction opposite the first direction produces pivoting of the detent about the bearing structure in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby disengaging the edge portion of the hole from the portion of the connecting member to enable motion of the suspension bracket along the connecting member in the first direction.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 5 wherein a force applied to the second portion of the detent in a second direction opposite the first direction produces pivoting of the detent about the bearing structure in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby disengaging the edge portion of the hole from the portion of the connecting member to enable motion of the suspension bracket along the connecting member in the first direction.

8. A mounting bracket for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member, the mounting bracket comprising:

a base portion adapted for coupling an object thereto; and

a pair of opposed wall members extending from the base portion for attachment to the structural member.

9. The mounting bracket of claim 8 wherein the wall members are resiliently deflectable.

10. The mounting bracket of claim 8 wherein at least one of the wall members includes a projection projecting therefrom into a cavity formed by the base portion and the pair of opposed wall members, to form a hard stop for a structural member inserted into the cavity.

11. The mounting bracket of claim 8 wherein at least one of the opposed wall members has an angled projection formed proximate an end thereof to provide a lead-in surface for the structural member

12. The mounting bracket of claim 11 wherein the angled projection forms an angle of between approximately 0° and approximately 90° with a portion of the at least one of the opposed wall members

13. The mounting bracket of claim 12 wherein the angled projection forms an angle of approximately 45° with the portion of the at least one of the opposed wall members

14. A mounting assembly including a mounting bracket in accordance with claim 8.

15. A mounting assembly for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member, the mounting assembly comprising:

a mounting bracket for attachment to the structural member;

a connecting member attached to the mounting bracket;

a suspension bracket defining a cavity for positioning of at least a portion of the object therein, the suspension bracket being coupled to the connecting member so as to enable adjustable positioning of the suspension bracket along the connecting member; and

a detent mechanism for engaging the suspension bracket and the connecting member to prevent movement of the suspension bracket in a first direction along the connecting member.

16. A detent mechanism for preventing motion of a first member along a second member to which the first member is coupled, the detent mechanism comprising:

a detent having a first portion abutting a bearing structure formed by a portion of the first member, and a second portion extending from the first portion and having a hole formed therein through which the second member extends; and

a spring member compressed between the detent and the first member so as to urge pivoting of the detent in a first rotational direction about the bearing structure, thereby causing an edge portion of the hole to engage a portion of the second member to prevent motion of the first member along the second member in the first direction.

17. The detent mechanism of claim 16 wherein a force applied to the first member in a second direction opposite the first direction produces pivoting of the detent about the bearing structure in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby disengaging the edge portion of the hole from the portion of the second member to enable motion of the first member along the second member in the first direction.

18. The mounting assembly of claim 16 wherein a force applied to the second portion of the detent in a second direction opposite the first direction produces pivoting of the detent about the bearing structure in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby disengaging the edge portion of the hole from the portion of the second member to enable motion of the first member along the second member in the first direction.