GB2460446A

GB2460446A - Angularly adjustable mounting bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2460446A
Application number: GB0809824A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Berrisford Alexander Edwards
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-29
Filing date: 2008-05-29
Publication date: 2009-12-02
Also published as: GB0809824D0

Abstract

The bracket comprises two arms each having one end furnished with a circular pattern of teeth G. One arm has a threaded portion S extending from within the toothed area while the second arm has a hole H within its toothed portion to accommodate the threaded portion. A nut N is screwed to the threaded portion, when it is passed through the hole on the other portion, to lock the two arms in one of many angular configurations. The distal ends of the two arms are furnished with holes E for mounting to an object or a surface. The bracket enables the mounting of an object to a surface at a desired angle which is adjustable to many angles determined by the number of teeth on the arms.

Description

C-

Vari-Bracket� -A Variable Angle Bracket for Customised and/or General Use.

Background:

This idea developed from struggling to fit a curtain rail to a window that had curved surfaces where flat and/or right angled surfaces are expected by the manufacturer(s). Ag. 1 below illustrates the problem: The curtain rail manufacturers have this flexible curtain rail that will bend in one plane (the horizontal), designed to fit any window". With this, come (right angled) fittings with which to fit the rail to either the (horizontal) ceiling (C) or the (vertical) wall or window frame (W). The problem however, was that blinds are already fitted to the window frame rendering it unusable for any other fitting. The only remaining option being the ceiling; however, with the curved nature of the ceiling, this meant that a considerable area of the room would be "lost". The ideal solution would be to be able to attach the fitting anywhere in the unusable area (U) so as to be able to maximise the size of the room.

In this particular case, the solution was to manually (forcibly) open up the fittings to an angle of around 150° -165° and fit the curtain rail within the optimum/unusable area (U). Not everyone will be willing/able to improvise in this manner; not only that but forcibly opening up fittings, obviously weakens the structural integrity of the fittings.

Vari-Brackel° solves not just this but all other general purpose problems that require fitting to angles other than 90° and curved surfaces.

Description: * .*

Varl-Brackei is an angle bracket that can be easily altered (varied) at time of use to meet the requirements of any angle or curved surface. Fig. 2 (below) shows how: *e * S..

*. The key feature of Vari-8rackel is the (circular) angle variation region (V). This simple design consists of just a circular area with gears or teeth on both halves of the bracket. On the first * *. facet is a circular threaded shaft (S) in the centre of the gear area. The second half consists * S S * * of a similar (circular) geared area, but this time having a hole, through which the circular * : . shaft passes. The desired angle is chosen at time of fitting, the (fixed) gears of the two halves of the bracket are engaged fixed, and locked into place by tightening the locking nut (N).

Theoretically, this can cope with an infinite number of angles. Practically, only angles from 0° -180° need be considered. Similarly, the number and/or size of teeth can be varied to handle any angular precision -the number of teeth ranging from 1 -infinity. There will obviously though be practical limitations due to man's ability and the materials and/or tools * . 2 Author: Bemsford Alexander Edwardslitle: Vari-Bracket� Creation Date: 13/05/2008 Scalability is similarly limited only by man's ability, the materials and/or tools with which we work, so the design can be miniaturised to work in say, analogue timepieces and scaled up to have applications in general construction and mega-structural (mechanical) engineering The design also copes with all shapes of teeth, so whether it be jagged (as in diagram), square, chamfered square or any other type of teeth, this mechanism deals with them all.

Similarly, the locking nut used to hold the Iwo halves of the bracket together is inconsequential to the essence of the design and can be varied to suit taste and/or other requirements.

The diagram above has an implementation designed to maximise structural strength, so both halves of the bracket share the width of the bracket evenly (50/50) between them. This solution is best for heavy duty applications where strength needs to be maximised. This application however, results in a possibly, less aesthetically pleasing solution as it incurs a protrusion area (P) of the shaft where it extends beyond the width of the bracket system (S) so as to facilitate the locking nut (N). For applications where strength needn't be maximised and/or where aesthetics is more important, this can be altered to obviate the protrusion area. The locking nut will then fit inside the system width (S) but at the expense of structural strength. Fig. 3 (below) illustrates this: This design can also be applied to minimise manufacturing materials (and costs) where strength (for the appropriate application) is not compromised unacceptably. Similarly, the thickness of the entire bracket has been illustrated here to correspond to the radius of the geared area (G). This needn't be and can also be reduced to minimise materials (with consideration to it's fitness for purpose).

An advantage of Vari-Brackel� is that it is not application specific. Figures 2 and 3 (above) illustrate a general purpose application of Vari-Bracket', having only holes for general use.

The customisable area (C) of VariBrackeI� can be altered at manufacture time to suite any particular purpose. Fig. 4 (below) shows how Vdri-Bracketis adapted to serve as a curtain *:*::* rail fifing, which solves the problem illustrated in Fig. 1. This is illustrated in Fig. 5 (below).

* *I S * S **** * S * **S

S S..

S * *. * . * * *.

* ..S.. *

Claims

Claims: Vari-Bracket -A Variable Angle Bracket for Customised and/or General Use.1. The design of a bracket with two halves that can move relative to each other and are fixed together at installation time is a unique and defining feature of Vari-Bracket�. Any and every bracket design representing this is therefore covered by this document.
2. The design feature of a fulcrum consisting of two interlocking geared (teethed) areas is a unique defining feature of Van-Bracket0 in the context of brackets. Any and every design representing this is therefore covered by this document.2.1.The design of the gear teeth is not unique to Van-Bracket0 but the gear design as a whole, in the context of a bracket is unique to Van-Bracket0 and as such any and every teeth design in the context of this design is covered by this document.2.2. Any and every number of teeth in the context of this design is covered by this document.2.3. Any and every size of teeth in the context of this design is covered by this document.2.4. The threaded shaft and locking nut is not unique to Van-Bracket0. This is but one of a number of possible mechanisms that can be used to lock the two halves of the bracket together. Whilst this and any other mechanism is not unique to VariBracket�, using any alternative locking mechanism in conjunction with the unique, defining features of Van-Bracket0 is covered by this document.2.5. Whereas the design of the geared fulcrum is circular in this document, it is the gearing mechanism and two separate halves in the context of a bracket that make Van-Bracket0 unique. Therefore any and every alternative shape of the geared area (example, octagonal) is covered by this document.

3. The shaft within the geared area in the context of a bracket is unique to Van-Bracket0, whilst a threaded shaft is depicted in this document and is not unique in itself, a shaft of any kind in the context of this design is covered by this document.
3.1. Whilst the shaft in this document is central to the geared area, this does not have to be. Every alternative possible relative positioning of the gears and shaft in the context of this design is covered by this document since it utilises the unique defining features of Van-Bracket0.
4. Van-Bracket0 is designed to be a generic solution that can be customised to suit any purpose. Whilst any customisation design is not unique to Van-Bracket0, any and every design that incorporates the unique defining features of Van-Bracket0 is covered by this document.
5. This document does not specify any manufacturing materials. Use of the defining features of Van-Bracket� with any and every material is covered by this document.
6. Whilst Van-Bracket0 has been represented as two separate halves in this document, this does not have to be. The defining features are the interlocking geared areas and halves that can move relative to each other. Any an every design utilising these features whether the two halves are separable or not (in the context of brackets), is covered by this document.
7. The name Van-Bracket0 as well as the logo design shown in Fig. 6 are the sole intellectual property of the inventor and can only be used in relation to the entity described in this document.