GB2328607A - Bracket storage apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for storing articles by suspension includes a horizontal wall-mounted rail 4 to which are clipped brackets 6. The rail may be of sheet metal, angled as shown, with bifurcated brackets hung over the outwardly stepped portion 10. The brackets may also be of sheet material and have a lower flange 20 resting against the wall, a diagonal reinforcement 34,36 and upturned ends 32.

Description

STORAGB APPARATUS This invention relates to storage apparatus and, more especially, this invention relates to storage apparatus comprising at least one bracket for receiving articles to be stored.

In accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, there is provided storage apparatus comprising a mounting rail and at least one bracket which clips to the mounting rail, the mounting rail being constructed for being horizontally secured along a vertical support surface, and the bracket being such that it has a clip portion for clipping over an upper part of the mounting rail when it is secured along the vertical support surface.

Because the mounting rail is horizontally secured in position, a plurality of the mounting brackets can simply and easily be clipped along the mounting rail for receiving lots of articles to be stored. The storage apparatus is easy to assemble since it only needs the mounting rail to be horizontally secured along the vertical support surface, and then the brackets can easily clip in position.

Preferably, the storage apparatus is one in which the mounting rail has a lower part for engaging the vertical support surface, and in which the upper part is vertically displaced with respect to the lower part so that the upper part is spaced away from the vertical support surface in order to enable the portion of the bracket to clip over the upper part.

The upper and lower parts may extend parallel to each other but vertically spaced apart, or the upper and lower parts extend at an angle with respect to each other.

The mounting rail may be made of sheet material which is cranked to cause the upper part to be vertically displaced with respect to the lower part.

Other methods of forming the mounting rail to the desired shape may however be employed.

Usually, the lower part of the mounting rail will be provided with a plurality of apertures for receiving fixing means for securing the lower part to the vertical support surface. Any suitable and appropriate fixing means may be employed including bolts, screws and nails.

The security apparatus may be one in which the bracket has an abutment portion which in use is positioned beneath the mounting rail and which abuts against the vertical support surface to stabilise the bracket when it is clipped to the mounting rail.

The abutment portion may be a flange which extends away from a leg part of the bracket. Other types of abutment portion may be employed.

The security apparatus will usually be one in which the bracket has a support arm which extends away from the vertical support surface and which is for storing articles.

In one embodiment of the invention, the support arm is bifurcated so that it comprises two sub-arms which define a slot therebetween. The articles may then rest on the sub-arms and hang through the slot.

Such a type of support arm is especially useful for articles in the form of cables. The storage apparatus can be mounted on a vertical support surface in the form of a wall. The storage apparatus can form a simple and attractive system for storage and displaying a large number and variety of articles.

The storage apparatus is especially useful for cables for computers where different sizes and lengths of cables are always being required, especially when departments in large firms move offices. If previously stored cables have been stored coiled or folded, then they can hang from the support arm which helps to straighten them for use.

Preferably, the support arm has an upturned free end to stop the stored articles falling off the free end of the support arm.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the support arm may have an upstanding portion at its free end, the upstanding portion being for receiving an article to be stored. The upstanding portion may thus typically receive a motorcycle crash helmet which can be placed on the upstanding portion. Other container-type articles may be stored on the upstanding portion as may be suitable and appropriate.

The bracket may include at least one strengthening member. The strengthening member will usually be a diagonal member extending between vertical and horizontal parts of the bracket.

The bracket may be made of sheet material. The sheet material is preferably a metal. Other ways of making the bracket may however be employed including molding plastics materials.

The storage apparatus of the present invention can be used for storing a wide variety of articles in addition to the above mentioned computer cables and motorcycle crash helmets. Thus, for example, the storage apparatus can be used to store gardening equipment such for example as forks, shovels, rakes, brooms and hoses. The storage apparatus may be used to store golf equipment such for example as golf clubs, shoes and bags. The storage apparatus may be used to store general equipment such for example as electrical extension leads. The storage apparatus can also be used to store garage equipment. The storage apparatus can be used in industrial premises such for example as the storerooms of offices and factories for securing computer cables or other suitable and appropriate articles. The storage apparatus can also be used in the home, for example in garages for storing domestic articles as required.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a rear perspective view from one side and above of first storage apparatus of the invention; Figures 2, 3 and 4 are side, top and end views of the bracket used in the storage apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figures 5 and 6 are front and end views of the mounting rail used in the storage apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a schematic side view showing how the bracket clips to the mounting rail; Figures 8, 9 and 10 are side, top and end views of a second bracket for use in storage apparatus of the invention; and Figures 11, 12 and 13 are side, top and end views of a third bracket for use in storage apparatus of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 - 7, there is shown storage apparatus 2 comprising a mounting rail 4 and a bracket 6. The bracket 6 clips to the mounting rail 4 as shown.

The mounting rail 4 is constructed for being horizontally secured along a vertical support surface such for example as a wall (not shown). The bracket is such that it has a clip portion 8 for clipping over an upper part 10 of the mounting rail 4 when it is secured along the vertical support surface.

The mounting rail 4 has a lower part 12 for engaging the vertical support surface. The upper part 10 is vertically displaced with respect to the lower part 12 so that the upper part 10 is spaced away from the vertical support surface in order to enable the clip portion 8 of the bracket 6 to clip over the upper part 10. The upper and lower parts 10, 12 extend parallel to each other but vertically displaced with respect to each other. The mounting rail 4 is made of sheet material and it is cranked as shown. The bracket 6 thus has a cranked part 14 which causes the upper part 10 to be vertically displaced with respect to the lower part 12.

The lower part 12 of the mounting rail 4 is provided with a plurality of apertures 16 for receiving fixing means such for example as screws, bolts or nails. The fixing means thus enables the lower part 12 to be secured to the vertical support surface.

The bracket 6 has an abutment portion in the form of a flange 18. The flange 18 is positioned beneath the mounting rail 4 and, during use of the storage apparatus 2, the flange 18 abuts against the vertical support surface to stabilise the bracket 6 when the bracket 6 is clipped to the mounting rail 4. The flange 18 is formed at the lower end of a leg part 20 of the bracket 6.

The bracket 6 has a support arm 22 which extends away from the vertical support surface and which is for storing articles. The support arm 22 is bifurcated so that it comprises two sub-arms 24, 26 which define a slot 28 therebetween. As shown in Figure 1, articles in the form of computer cables rest on the upper surfaces of the sub-arms 24, 26 and hang through the slot 28. The computer cables 30 may be of different types and sizes and they are easily stored and displayed for use.

The sub-arms 24, 26 each have an upturned free end 32 to stop the stored articles such for example as the computer cables 30 falling off the free end of the support arm 22.

The bracket 6 has a pair of diagonal strengthening members 34, 36 extending one to each of the sub-arms 24, 26. The strengthening members 34, 36 ensure that the sub-arms 24, 26 can support a substantial weight if desired.

As can be seen from Figures 1 - 7, the mounting rail 4 and the bracket 6 are easily made from sheet material, for example a sheet metal. The mounting rail is easily secured in position. The bracket 6 is easily clipped over the mounting rail. Because the mounting rail 4 is horizontally secured in position, a plurality of the brackets 6 can easily be clipped along the length of the mounting rail to receive a large number of articles. The articles can be similar or completely different articles as may be desired.

Referring now to Figures 8, 9 and 10 there is shown a second storage bracket 38 which is similar to the storage bracket 6. Similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. The storage bracket 38 has a shorter support arm 22 than the support arm 22 of the bracket 6.

Referring now to Figures 11, 12 and 13 there is shown a third storage bracket 40 which is again like the storage bracket 6 and so similar parts as in previous figures have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

The storage bracket 40 is such that it has a single solid support arm 22 as best shown in Figure 12. The support arm 22 has a single upstanding portion 42 which terminates in a dome-shaped head 44. The head 44 is for receiving a motorcycle crash helmet (not shown).

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected.

Thus, for example, the mounting rail 4 and the brackets 6 may be of different designs to those shown.

Also, the storage apparatus can be made in a wide variety of different sizes.

Claims (13)

1. Storage apparatus comprising a mounting rail and at least one bracket which clips to the mounting rail, the mounting rail being constructed for being horizontally secured along a vertical support surface, and the bracket being such that it has a clip portion for clipping over an upper part of the mounting rail when it is secured along the vertical support surface.

2. Storage apparatus according to claim 1 in which the mounting rail has a lower part for engaging the vertical support surface, and in which the upper part is vertically displaced with respect to the lower part so that the upper part is spaced away from the vertical support surface in order to enable the clip portion of the bracket to clip over the upper part.

3. Storage apparatus according to claim 2 in which the mounting rail is made of sheet material which is cranked to cause the upper part to be vertically displaced with respect to the lower part.

4. Storage apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which the lower part of the mounting rail is provided with a plurality of apertures for receiving fixing means for securing the lower part to the vertical support surface.

5. Storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the bracket has an abutment portion which in use in positioned beneath the mounting rail and which abuts against the vertical support surface to stabilise the bracket when it is clipped to the mounting rail.

6. Storage apparatus according to claim 5 in which the abutment portion is a flange which extends away from a leg part of the bracket.

7. Storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the bracket has a support arm which extends away from the vertical support surface and which is for storing articles.

8. Storage apparatus according to claim 7 in which the support arm is bifurcated so that it comprises two sub-arms which define a slot therebetween.

9. Storage apparatus according to claim 8 in which the support arm has an upturned free end to stop stored articles falling off the free end of the support arm.

10. Storage apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 7 in which the support arm has an upstanding portion at its free end, the upstanding portion being for receiving an article to be stored.

11. Storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the bracket includes at least one strengthening member.

12. Storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the bracket is made of sheet material.

13. Storage apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.