MULTI-DIMENSIONALLY ADJUSTABLE SHELF BRACKET

Abstract

A shelf bracket is adjustable vertically along a Z-axis and rotationally about a Y- axis that is perpendicular to the Z-axis. The bracket may be used in combination with a merchandising system, including a system with slotted cross members connected by side brackets to form a shelf component, and various accessories insertable into the slots of the cross members to form organizational components along the shelf.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/252,305 filed on Nov. 6, 2015, in accordance with 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e), and any other applicable laws. This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/345,450 filed Nov. 7, 2016, currently pending but set to issue Aug. 15, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,730,529, in accordance with 35 U.S.C. Section 120, and any other applicable laws. The contents of the aforementioned application(s) are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if set forth fully herein.

BACKGROUND

The metal shelf has been the back bone of brick and mortar retail stores for almost a century. Today, merchandise is still placed onto the shelf. Some unique shelves have been developed, such as the angled shelf and the rolling shelf which are still just shelves for merchandise to be placed on. Most all recent merchandising breakthroughs have involved placing different apparatus on top of the shelf to organize products better. Spring fronting devices known as pusher systems along with dividers are available in various styles. In essence, additional fixtures are added to the shelf to segregate and forward merchandise. This adds another level of fixture on fixture. There is thus a need for a universal merchandising system which incorporates both the shelving and organizing aspects of displays into a single unit.

Additionally, traditional shelf brackets are not adjustable. That is, once the brackets are secured to a bracket support (fixedly or removably), the bracket arm portion of the bracket is fixed and cannot be adjusted vertically, rotationally, or in any manner, other than by removing the bracket from the bracket support completely and reinstalling the bracket to the bracket support at a new location. This limits or prevents the ability to adjust the vertical position of shelves and the angle of presentation of merchandise to consumers. There is thus a need for an adjustable shelf bracket that allows vertical and/or rotational adjustment once the bracket is secured to a bracket support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention embodies a new approach to merchandising that consolidates the shelf and organizing system into one unit, thus minimizing the number of parts. Fewer parts are better environmentally, and also lower shipping and fixture costs. Components are shipped in smaller cartons and are assembled without tools in minutes.

Another aspect of the invention includes a multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket. The bracket has a vertically adjustable bracket hook mounting plate for vertical adjustment of the bracket with respect to the bracket hook, and a rotationally adjustable bracket arm for rotational adjustment of the bracket with respect to the bracket hook mounting plate.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a merchandising system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with some accessories.

FIG. 2a shows the merchandising system of FIG. 1 (without the accessories) attached to a gondola at a level arrangement and at an angled arrangement.

FIG. 2b shows a closer view of the level-mounted merchandising system of FIG. 2a, with some accessories.

FIG. 3 shows the merchandising system of FIG. 1 assembled, with various accessories.

FIG. 4a shows the merchandising system of FIG. 1 assembled, with no accessories.

FIG. 4b shows a close up of the front cross member of FIG. 4a being removably secured to the right side bracket.

FIG. 5 shows the merchandising system of FIG. 1 assembled, with all available shelf space allocated to various accessories.

FIG. 6a shows a side view of conventional shelf brackets attached to a gondola.

FIG. 6b shows a side view of a universal merchandising system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, using multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf brackets in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7a shows a close up perspective view of a portion of the shelf brackets of FIG. 6a.

FIG. 7b shows a close up perspective view of a portion of the universal merchandising system of FIG. 6b.

FIG. 8a shows a side view of the outer side of a left side multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the bracket hook mounting plate set at a first lower position, and the bracket arm set at zero degrees.

FIG. 8b shows a side view of the outer side of the multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket of FIG. 8a, with the bracket hook mounting plate set at a second upper position, and the bracket arm set at zero degrees.

FIG. 8c shows a side view of the outer side of the multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket of FIG. 8a, with the bracket hook mounting plate set at the first lower position, and the bracket arm set at 15 degrees.

FIG. 8d shows a side view of the outer side of the multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket of FIG. 8a, with the bracket hook mounting plate set at the second upper position, and the bracket arm set at 15 degrees.

FIG. 9a shows a perspective view of the outer side of a right side multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the bracket hook mounting plate set at the first lower position, and the bracket arm set at zero degrees.

FIG. 9b shows a perspective view of the outer side of the multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket of FIG. 9a, with the bracket hook mounting plate set at the second upper position, and the bracket arm set at zero degrees.

FIG. 10 shows a close-up partial view of the outer side of a left side multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the components behind the outer wall shown in phantom,

FIG. 11 shows a close up perspective view of the outer side of a right side multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, attached to a portion of a universal merchandising system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, along with an X-Y-Z coordinate system for frame of reference.

FIG. 12a shows an outer side view of the disassembled components of a right side multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12b shows a side view of the outer side of an assembled right side multi- dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with components behind the outer wall shown in phantom.

FIGS. 13a-13g show side views of a left side multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the bracket arm adjusted at various angles.

FIG. 14 shows a close up perspective view of the rack portion of the rack and pinion assembly used for rotational adjustment of a multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The universal merchandising system (1) of the present invention includes a front cross member (5) and a back cross member (10) both removably attached to a left side bracket (15) and right side (20) bracket, as best seen in FIG. 4a. The cross members (5, 10) are slotted (25, 30) to accommodate various accessories (e.g., short dividers (65), tall dividers (66), gravity feeders (67), pushers (68), platforms (75), slotted platforms (76), bins (77), and/or other accessories as known in the art) to form organizational components along what appears as a traditional shelf. The slots (25, 30) are typically evenly distributed along the respective edges. FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a universal merchandising system (1) in accordance with the present invention.

An assembled universal merchandising system (1) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4a. Typically the system (1) is secured to bracket support (70) such as a gondola, wall, or other structure by brackets (69) as is known in the art. This is shown in FIG. 2a, which shows one system (1) attached in a level arrangement at the top, and another system (1) attached in an angled arrangement at the bottom. In one aspect of the present invention, however, multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf brackets (100) are used as shown in FIGS. 6-14 and described herein. Such multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf brackets (100) may be used with the universal merchandising system (1) described herein in lieu of and/or in addition to traditional brackets (69). Such brackets (100) are referred to herein as shelf brackets for convenience, because the most common application of brackets (100) is to use them to support shelves. But brackets (100) may be used to support other structures as well.

Turning first to the universal merchandising system (1), the front cross member (5) has a left side (6), a right side (7), an inwardly-facing edge (8), and an outwardly-facing edge (9). Similarly, the back cross member (10) has with a left side (11), a right side (12), an inwardly-facing edge (13), and an outwardly-facing edge (14). The inwardly-facing edge (8) of the front cross member (5) has inwardly-facing slots (25) therealong for receiving front catches (26) of removable accessories. Similarly, the inwardly-facing edge (13) of the back cross member (10) has inwardly-facing slots (30) therealong, aligned with the inwardly-facing slots (25) of the front cross member (5), for receiving back catches (31) of the removable accessories. As used herein, “inwardly facing” refers to the direction facing towards the inside of the system, i.e., where merchandise will be placed. Thus, the inwardly-facing slots (25) and (30) face each other. Conversely, “outwardly-facing” refers to the direction facing away from the inside of the system. For the front cross member (5), that is in a direction out in front of the system (1). For the back cross member (10), that is in a direction out in back of the system (1).

The cross members (5, 10) are connected to left and right side brackets (15 and 20 respectively) using a first set of tabs (40) and slots (55) and a second set of tabs (21) and slots (60) for each of the front right, front left, back right, and back left corners of the system (1). This is best seen in FIG. 4b which shows the attachment point of the front cross member (5) to the right side bracket (20). Using this front right corner as an example, the cross member (5) is first mated with the right side bracket (20) via inwardly-facing tab (40) on the cross member (5) and slot (55) on the right side bracket (20). Next, the cross member (5) is rotated such that a slot (60) in the cross member (5) engages a locking tab (21) attached to right side bracket (20). This is similarly repeated for the front left corner, the back left corner, and the back right corner, all in any sequence. The cross members (5, 10) are thus removably secured to the side brackets (15, 20), as shown in FIG. 4a.

FIG. 2b, this shows a system (1) attached to a gondola (70) in a level position. Dividers (66) and pusher (68) are shown in an exploded view. They would be attached to the front slots (25) via front catches (26), and to the back slots (30) via back catches (31). FIG. 3 shows a system (1) with various accessories implemented. For example, a slotted platform (76) may sit directly on the cross members (5) and (10) to allow dividers (66) to be installed to segregate the merchandised product. A front fence (82) may also be installed to retain the merchandised product on the system. A non-slotted platform (75) may be used to allow for conventional merchandising of various products. A self- contained tray or bin (77) is another optional component that can be attached to system (1). The tray (77) may include any combination of retaining walls or barriers on any side, top, or bottom.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a completely assembled version of the system (1) is shown using various components to utilize all available “shelf space.” These components include tall dividers (66), short dividers (65), pusher tracks (68), basic tracks (83), gravity tracks (67), and a front fence (82). Another option not shown is a feature to communicate sales, brand or seasonal messages graphically and/or electronically. This may be done as is known in the art, and provisions may be included to accept Omni-channel digital edge technology by CLOVERLEAF. Inventory control, targeted marketing and advertising revenue streams are a few of the many benefits obtained with CLOVERLEAF and can be easily integrated into the system of the present invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 6-14, a multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket (hereafter sometimes referred to as simply “adjustable bracket”) (100) in accordance with the present invention will be described. The adjustable bracket (100) has a vertically adjustable component adjustable along a Z-axis (107), and a rotationally adjustable component adjustable about a Y-axis (106) perpendicular to the Z-axis (107), both as described herein. For reference, an X-Y-Z coordinate system (152) is shown in FIG. 11.

Vertical adjustment of the adjustable bracket (100) allows vertical placement of brackets (100) on the bracket support (70) at smaller increments than with conventional brackets (69). For example, conventional brackets (69) are typically installed on a bracket support (70) such that the tops (101) of successive brackets (69) are vertically spaced apart at one inch increments. Adjustable brackets (100), however, may be installed in the same positions on the bracket support (70) as shown comparing FIG. 7a to FIG. 7b, but adjusted as described herein to allow the tops (101) of successive brackets (100) to be vertically spaced apart at increments less than one inch, for example one half inch. This allows for less unused vertical shelf space, more control over the vertical space between shelves for various-sized merchandise (102), and potentially installation of one or more extra adjustable brackets (100) (and hence shelves) on a bracket support (70) as compared to using conventional brackets (69) with the same bracket support (70). This is shown in FIG. 6a which shows conventional brackets (69) accommodating only 11 shelves, as compared to FIG. 6b which shows adjustable brackets (100) accommodating 12 shelves.

An adjustable bracket (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a bracket hook (103), a bracket hook mounting plate (104) slidably attached to the bracket hook (103) and vertically adjustable relative to the bracket hook (103) along a Z-axis (107), and a bracket arm (108) rotationally attached to the bracket hook mounting plate (104) and rotationally adjustable relative to the bracket hook mounting plate (104) about a Y-axis (106) that is perpendicular to the Z axis (107). A vertical indicia panel (124) may be installed between the bracket hook (103) and the bracket hook mounting plate (104) as further described herein.

The bracket hook (103) attaches to a bracket support (70) in a conventional manner, as best seen in FIG. 7b. The bracket hook (103) has attachment holes (109) as best seen in FIG. 12a, for slidingly attaching the bracket hook (103) to the bracket hook mounting plate (104) through vertical slots (110) in the bracket hook mounting plate (104) using any conventional means (111) such as rivets, nuts and bolts, etc. The bracket hook (103) also has vertical adjustment holes (112), such that as the bracket hook mounting plate (104) is vertically adjusted, a locking pin (113) may engage the desired adjustment hole (112) to lock the bracket hook mounting plate (104) in the desired vertically-adjusted position. The drawings show only two adjustment holes (112) per bracket (100), but any number of adjustment holes (112) may be used depending on the application. The locking pin (113) may be spring-loaded and connected to a knob (114) such that pulling or releasing the knob (114) activates the locking pin (113) into unlocked or locked positions respectively. The knob (114) may fit as a sleeve over a cylindrical base press-fitted into a hole (121) in the bracket hook mounting plate (104). The locking pin (113), slots (110), adjustment holes (112), and/or knob (114) cooperate to form a locking pin assembly configured to allow vertical adjustment of the bracket hook mounting plate (104) relative to the bracket hook (103) along the Z-axis (107). Other means may be used to effect the same result.

The bracket hook mounting plate (104) has vertical slots (110) and a locking pin hole (121) as previously described, to facilitate vertical adjustment of the bracket hook mounting plate (104) along the Z-axis (107) relative to the bracket hook (103). The bracket hook mounting plate (104) also has a curved slot (116), gear teeth (117), and a pivot hole (118) through which the Y-axis (106) extends, to facilitate rotational adjustment of the bracket arm (108) about the Y-axis (106) relative to the bracket hook mounting plate (104). Pivot hole (118) is also a point of connection of inner wall (126) and outer wall (127) via connectors (111) through holes (159) as described herein. The bracket hook mounting plate (104) has a back support flange (119) extending at a substantially right angle to the main body of the bracket hook mounting plate (104), which provides structural stability to the bracket (100) when installed on a bracket support (70). The support flange (119) has an indicia window (120) at the top thereof which is used to view the vertical position of the bracket hook mounting plate (104) as further described herein. The gear teeth (117) of the bracket hook mounting plate (104) cooperate with the gear teeth (122) of a small gear (123) during rotation of the bracket arm (108) as further described herein.

A vertical indicia panel (124) is installed between the bracket hook (103) and the bracket hook mounting plate (104) by fixing a first surface thereof to the inside surface of the bracket hook (103) through attachment holes (109) and corresponding attachment holes (125) in the vertical indicia panel (124). Another surface thereof at a right angle to the first surface has indicia thereon, and rests against the back surface of the back support flange (119) of the bracket hook mounting plate (104). A cutout (115) in the vertical indicia panel (124) allows vertical locking pin (113) to pass therethrough to reach adjustment holes (112) as needed. The indicia are positioned to display the vertical position of the bracket hook mounting plate (104) through the vertical indicia window (120) when the bracket hook mounting plate (104) is vertically adjusted relative to the bracket hook (103) along the Z-axis (107). For example, in an embodiment with two vertical positions available as shown in the drawings, when the bracket hook mounting plate (104) is in the up position, the indicia might read “UP” or “U” and when the bracket hook mounting plate (104) is in the down position, the indicia might read “DOWN” or “D.”

A bracket arm (108) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail. The bracket arm (108) extends away from the bracket hook mounting plate (104) along an X-axis (105) perpendicular to the Y-axis (106) and to the Z-axis (107), as best seen in FIG. 11. The components of the bracket arm (108) are the inner wall (126), outer wall (127), and rail support (128). The inner wall (126) is in parallel relation to the outer wall (127) and generally has a similar profile so their surface faces match up. The inner wall (126) has a hole (158) for receiving a press-fitted portion of the locking pin assembly and allowing locking pin (142) to pass therethrough to lock into place in a desired one of adjustment holes (136). The walls (126, 127) are connected using any conventional means (111) such as rivets, nuts and bolts, etc. passing through holes (154). The connectors (111) may pass through other components housed between the inner wall (126) and outer wall (127) as described more fully herein.

The walls (126, 127) may be plastic, metal, or other suitable material depending on the weight and durability requirements of a particular application. Clear plastic may be used to allow inspection of the internal components. The rail support (128) may be a separate component, or may be integrated with one of the walls (126, 127). The embodiment shown in the drawings shows the rail support (128) as a flange of the outer wall (127) offset at a right angle to the main surface of the outer wall (127). The rail support (128) acts to support a rail (130) which may be a left side bracket (15) or right side (20) bracket as described herein, or another rail (130) used to support a shelf.

Sandwiched between the walls (126, 127) are a rack and pinion assembly comprising a rack (131) and a pinion (132), a small gear (123), the gear portion (117) of the bracket hook mounting plate (104), and spacers (129a, 129b, 129c), as best seen in FIG. 12b. The rack (131) (excluding flange 137), pinion (132), and spacers 129b and 129c, are in a first plane against the inner wall (126). The small gear (123), gear portion (117) of the bracket hook mounting plate (104), and spacer 129a, lie in a second plane against the outer wall (127). The small gear (123) is fixed to the outside portion of the pinion (132) (which is in front of the pinion (132) in FIG. 12a), and thus rotates therewith along a pinion axis (133) that is parallel to the Y-axis (106), and also acts as a spacer similar to spacer 129a. The pinion (132) and small gear (123) are secured by connector (111) through pivot holes (153) in walls (126, 127). During rotation, the teeth (134) of the pinion (132) operably mate with the teeth (135) of the rack (131), while the teeth (122) of the small gear (123) operably mate with the teeth (117) of the bracket hook mounting plate (104). The two sets of mating teeth provide for more precise control over rotation, and extra stability.

The rack (131) is best seen in FIG. 14, and has rotational adjustment holes (136), a guide flange (137), a first set of rotational indicia (138) for display through an indicia window (140) in outer wall (127), and a second set of rotational indicia (139) on the upper surface of the guide flange (137) for display through an indicia window (141) in a rail (130). The guide flange (137) is configured to slide within a cutout (144) of the rail support (128) and not only carries the second set of rotational indicia (139), but also provides extra stability to the rack (131) during movement. The rotational indicia (138, 139) are typically numbers representing the approximate angle of rotation (151) of the bracket arm (108). This is best seen in FIG. 10 and FIG. 14.

Spacers 129a, 129b, and 129c are shaped to fill in most of the area between the walls (126, 127) that are not occupied by moving parts 104, 123, 131, 132 during rotation of the bracket arm (108), to thus maintain a relatively constant distance between the walls (126, 127) and provide more stability thereto. The spacers 129a, 129b, 129c have holes (150) corresponding to holes (154) in walls (126, 127) and thus are secured in place by connecters (111). Spacer (129a) also has a hole (155) corresponding to and aligned with indicia window (140) in outer wall (127), and a hole (156) corresponding to and aligned with locking pin (142) of bracket arm (108). Spacer (129c) has a hole (157) corresponding to and aligned with pivot hole (118).

As the bracket arm (108) is rotationally adjusted, locking pin (142) similar to locking pin (113) (controlled by knob (143) similar to knob (114)) may engage the desired adjustment hole (136) to lock the bracket arm (108) in the desired rotationally-adjusted position. The locking pin (142), adjustment holes (136), and/or knob (143) cooperate to form a second locking pin assembly configured to allow rotational adjustment of the bracket arm (108) relative to the bracket hook mounting plate (104) about the Y-axis (106).

The drawings show seven rotational adjustment holes (136), but any number of adjustment holes (136) may be used depending on the application. In this example, the adjustment holes (136) correspond to rotational positions of approximately 0 degrees, 2.5 degrees, 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, 10 degrees, 12.5 degrees, and 15 degrees, as seen by the rotational indicia (138 and 139). Accordingly, the bracket arm (108) is rotationally adjustable at an angle (151) relative to the bracket hook mounting plate (104) about the Y-axis (106) from approximately zero degrees to approximately 15 degrees, in 2.5 degree increments, as best seen in FIGS. 13a-13g respectively. The indicia (138 and 139) are positioned such that they show through their corresponding windows (140 and 141) when the bracket arm (108) is rotated at the angle indicated.

Side views of an adjustable bracket (100) with the bracket arm (108) rotated at zero degrees are shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b with the bracket hook mounting plate (104) in a lower position and upper position respectively. Side views of an adjustable bracket (100) with the bracket arm (108) rotated at fifteen degrees are shown in FIGS. 8c and 8d with the bracket hook mounting plate (104) in a lower position and upper position respectively. Perspective side views of an adjustable bracket (100) with the bracket arm (108) rotated at zero degrees are shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b with the bracket hook mounting plate (104) in a lower position and upper position respectively. The embodiment shown in these drawings includes only two vertical adjustment positions as seen by the two bracket hook adjustment holes (112).

A multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket (100) has thus been described herein with reference to the drawings, along with a universal merchandising system (1) that may incorporate the adjustable shelf bracket (100).

Claims

1. A merchandising system (1) removably securable to a bracket support (70) comprising:

a front cross member (5) with a left side (6), a right side (7), an inwardly-facing edge (8), and an outwardly-facing edge (9);

a back cross member (10) with a left side (11), a right side (12), an inwardly-facing edge (13), and an outwardly-facing edge (14);

a multi-dimensionally adjustable left side bracket (100) vertically adjustable along a first Z-axis and rotationally adjustable along a first Y-axis that is perpendicular to the first Z-axis, the left side bracket connecting the front cross member to the back cross member along the left sides thereof; and

a multi-dimensionally adjustable right side bracket (100) vertically adjustable along a second Z-axis that is parallel to the first Z-axis, and rotationally adjustable along a second Y-axis that is perpendicular to the second Z-axis and parallel to the first Y-axis, the right side bracket connecting the front cross member to the back cross member along the right sides thereof;

wherein the inwardly-facing edge of the front cross member has inwardly-facing slots (25) therealong for receiving front catches (26) of removable accessories;

wherein the inwardly-facing edge of the back cross member has inwardly-facing slots (30) therealong, aligned with the inwardly-facing slots of the front cross member, for receiving back catches (31) of the removable accessories;

wherein the inwardly-facing edge of the front cross member has inwardly-facing tabs (40) at the right and left sides thereof;

wherein the inwardly-facing edge of the back cross member has inwardly-facing tabs (45) at the right and left sides thereof;

wherein the inwardly facing tab at the left side of the front cross member and the inwardly facing tab at the left side of the back cross member are removably secured into slots (50) in the left side bracket;

wherein the inwardly facing tab at the right side of the front cross member and the inwardly facing tab at the right side of the back cross member are removably secured into slots (55) in the right side bracket;

wherein the outwardly-facing edge of the front cross member has slots (60) at the right and left sides thereof;

wherein the outwardly-facing edge of the back cross member has slots at the right and left sides thereof;

wherein the front tab of the left side bracket is removably secured into the slot at the left side of the outwardly-facing edge of the front cross member;

wherein the front tab of the right side bracket is removably secured into the slot at the right side of the outwardly-facing edge of the front cross member;

wherein the back tab of the left side bracket is removably secured into the slot at the left side of the outwardly-facing edge of the back cross member; and

wherein the back tab of the right side bracket is removably secured into the slot at the right side of the outwardly-facing edge of the back cross member.

2. A multi-dimensionally adjustable shelf bracket (100) adjustable vertically along a Z-axis and rotationally about a Y-axis that is perpendicular to the Z-axis, comprising:

a bracket hook (103);

a bracket hook mounting plate (104) slidably attached to the bracket hook and vertically adjustable relative to the bracket hook along a Z-axis (107); and

a bracket arm (108) rotationally attached to the bracket hook mounting plate and rotationally adjustable relative to the bracket hook mounting plate about a Y-axis (106) that is perpendicular to the Z axis.

3. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 2, wherein the bracket arm extends away from the bracket hook mounting plate along an X-axis (105) perpendicular to the Y-axis and to the Z-axis, and comprises an outer wall (127), an inner wall (126), and a rack and pinion assembly housed between the outer wall and the inner wall, the rack and pinion assembly comprising a rack (131) and a pinion (132).

4. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 2, further comprising a first locking pin assembly configured to allow vertical adjustment of the bracket hook mounting plate relative to the bracket hook along the Z-axis.

5. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 4, further comprising a second locking pin assembly configured to allow rotational adjustment of the bracket arm relative to the bracket hook mounting plate about the Y-axis.

6. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 2, further comprising visible indicia (138 or 139) indicating a rotational position of the bracket arm.

7. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 2, further comprising visible indicia (138 or 139) indicating a vertical position of the bracket hook mounting plate.

8. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 7, further comprising visible indicia (138 or 139) indicating a rotational position of the bracket arm.

9. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 3, further comprising a spacer (129) between the outer wall and the inner wall.

10. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 3, wherein a portion of the bracket hook mounting plate comprises a gear (117) located between the outer wall and the inner wall configured to operably engage a gear (123) attached to the pinion during rotational adjustment of the bracket arm relative to the bracket hook mounting plate about the Y-axis.

11. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 2, wherein the bracket arm is rotationally adjustable relative to the bracket hook mounting plate about the Y-axis from approximately 0 degrees to approximately 15 degrees.

12. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 11, further comprising a rack and pinion assembly configured to allow rotational adjustment of the bracket arm relative to the bracket hook mounting plate about the Y-axis from approximately 0 degrees to approximately 15 degrees, and a locking pin assembly configured to allow the bracket arm to be fixed at incremental angles between and including approximately 0 degrees to approximately 15 degrees.

13. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 12, wherein the incremental angles range from approximately 0 degrees to approximately 15 degrees in approximately 2.5 degree increments.

14. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 13, further comprising visible indicia (138 or 139) indicating a rotational position of the bracket arm.

15. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 2, further comprising a rail (130) attached to the bracket arm and configured to rotate with the bracket arm about the Y-axis when the bracket arm is rotated about the Y-axis.

16. A multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket adjustable vertically along a Z-axis and rotationally about a Y-axis that is perpendicular to the Z-axis, comprising:

a bracket hook (103);

a bracket hook mounting plate (104) slidably attached to the bracket hook and vertically adjustable relative to the bracket hook along a Z-axis (107);

a bracket arm (108) rotationally attached to the bracket hook mounting plate and rotationally adjustable relative to the bracket hook mounting plate about a Y-axis (106) that is perpendicular to the Z axis, the bracket arm comprising an outer wall (127), an inner wall (126), and a rack and pinion assembly housed between the outer wall and the inner wall;

a first locking pin assembly configured to allow vertical adjustment of the bracket hook mounting plate relative to the bracket hook along the Z-axis;

a second locking pin assembly configured to allow rotational adjustment of the bracket arm relative to the bracket hook mounting plate about the Y-axis;

an indicia window (140 or 141) for displaying visible indicia (138 or 139) indicating a rotational position of the bracket arm; and

an indicia window (120) for displaying visible indicia indicating a vertical position of he bracket hook mounting plate;

at least one spacer (129) between the outer wall and the inner wall;

wherein the bracket arm extends away from the bracket hook mounting plate along an X-axis (105) perpendicular to the Y-axis and to the Z-axis; and

wherein a portion of the bracket hook mounting plate comprises a gear (117) located between the outer wall and the inner wall configured to operably engage a gear (123) attached to the pinion (132) of the rack and pinion assembly during rotational adjustment of the bracket arm relative to the bracket hook mounting plate about the Y-axis.

17. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 16, further comprising a rail (130) attached to the bracket arm and configured to rotate with the bracket arm about the Y-axis when the bracket arm is rotated about the Y-axis.

18. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 16, wherein the bracket arm is rotationally adjustable relative to the bracket hook mounting plate about the Y-axis from approximately 0 degrees to approximately 15 degrees.

19. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 18, wherein the second locking pin assembly and the rack and pinion assembly are configured to allow the bracket arm to be rotationally adjusted relative to the bracket hook mounting plate about the Y-axis from approximately 0 degrees to approximately 15 degrees, and to be fixed at incremental angles between and including approximately 0 degrees to approximately 15 degrees.

20. The multi-dimensionally adjustable bracket of claim 19, wherein the incremental angles range from approximately 0 degrees to approximately 15 degrees in approximately 2.5 degree increments.