US 5,205,524 AGranted

Adjustable bracket

AssigneeCapitol Hardware Manufacturing Co., Inc.

InventorMaurice Cohen

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Abstract

A shelf or hanger mounting bracket which comprises an inner bracket body having one end provided with projections configured for locking engagement with vertically extending slits in a wall-mounted upright mounting rail and an ornamental outer sleeve comprising a locking system enabling the sleeve to be continuously adjustable over a range of positions so that it can be adjusted to lie flush with the mounting wall. The locking system employs a latching member pivotally mounted on the forward end of the inner bracket body having a locking end slantingly engaging the confronting interior wall surface of the sleeve so that forward retracting movement of the sleeve cannot occur as long as the locking end is held in contact with this sleeve surface. Slipping rearward movement towards the wall readily occurs. In the preferred form of the invention the latching member has a release end extending forwardly of the pivot and having sufficient weight that the locking end is continually forced into engagement with the sleeve inner surface. An aperture in the bottom of the sleeve permits insertion of a pencil or similar object to bear against the release end so as to raise it, thereby rotating the locking end out of engagement, permitting limited withdrawal of the sleeve so that the bracket assembly can be removed from the mounting rail.

A bracket comprising an inner bracket body having an inner end configured for interlocking engagement with vertical upright means providing a vertical mounting surface, an outer tubular member having front and rear ends and having an inner wall surface forming a sleeve telescoping over said inner bracket body, said outer tubular member being continuously progressively moveable along said inner bracket body over a range of positions unless locked against such movement, the rear end of said tubular member being shaped to be moved flush against said mounting surface when pushed fully rearwardly toward the inner end of said inner bracket body, and locking means for locking said tubular member against forward movement on said bracket member, the improvement comprising:

said locking means including a latching member having a locking end configured for locking engagement with said inner wall surface of said tubular member;
pivot-forming means on said inner bracket body for supporting said latching member for pivotal movement thereon, wherein said locking portion is normally urged into locking engagement with the inner wall surface of said tubular member, said locking end of said latching member being configured to engage said inner wall surface at an angle thereto, wherein movement of said outer tubular member rearwardly toward the inner end of said inner bracket body causes said locking end to freely slide over said inner wall surface, so that the rear end of said tubular member can be brought flush against said mounting surface, said angle of said locking end of said latching member causing said locking end to lock against said inner wall surface of said tubular member to prevent forward movement of said tubular member over a continuous range of positions of said tubular member unless released therefrom;
and
manually operable release means for at least momentarily releasing said locking end of said latching member from engagement with said outer tubular member, to permit the outer tubular member to be moved forwardly upon said inner bracket body.

1 more element

Abstract

Claims13