US2828098A - Bracket assembly - Google Patents

Description

March 25, 1958 l G. A. LHMANN l 2,828,098

y BRACKET ASSEMBLY Filed April 12, 1954 4 n d? INVf/vroR.

;\\\ GEORGE A. LEHMANN ,AM Y. 4 la l ,vg/vl.

\ L V`N` jm, ATTORNEY United States Patent j BRACKET ASSEMBLY George A. Lehmann, Ferguson, Mo., assignor, by mesne' assignments, to The Dazey Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri This invention relates to improvements in bracket assemblies, and more particularly to an improved foldable bracket assembly having' means for mounting and supportingy appliances, and including means for attaching the assembly to a cabinet.

It is a conventional practice to fasten an appliance such as a can opener, knife grinder and the like directly to a wall structure, and to utilize screws or nails for this purpose. The appliance or the bracket on which it is mounted is usually fixed in a readily accessible location in plain view, which may for several reasons present an undesirable or an impractical arrangement. For example, such an arrangement may be objectionable 'since it may place the appliance or bracket in an obtrusive location, or the fastening elements may cause visible chipping, cracking or other damage to the wall nish whether it be of tile, wood or metal. Accordingly, it is a major objective of the present improvements to lprovide a bracket assembly for mounting appliances which may be conveniently fastened below a cabinet in bridging relation to the front and the rear panels, the bracket assembly including a swingable arm adapted for extension to present the appliance in an operative position, and adapted for folding to a substantially concealed position beneath the cabinet when the appliance is not in use. Y

Another important objective is realized in providing a bracketV arm with means for fastening the arm to the underside of a wall cabinet so as to conceal the bracket assembly when in a folded or inoperative position.

Still other important advantages are realized in providing a brace pivotally connected to a swingable arm and to a bracket arm, and a spring means connected to the brace, the spring means being adapted to urge the brace in a direction to realize automatic engagement of the brace with a` stop ony the bracket arm upon actuation of the swingable arm, whereby to retain the swingable arm in an'extendedV position. The particular disposition of the spring means relative to the brace permitsV movement of the brace against spring loading to enable operative disengagement of thebrace from the stop to elfect collapse of the swingable arm.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of theV invention will more clearly appear `from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with'the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a topplan view of the bracket assembly, the assembly being partially cut-away to show the operative connection of the braces with the bracket arm;

Fig. 2r is a side elevational View of the bracket assembly as attached to the underside of a cabinet structure, the swingable arm being shown in an extended position, and the dashed lines indicating an appliance;

Fig. 3 is a view of the bracket assembly, partly in cross section, as seen along line 3-.3 of Fig. 2;

rFig, 4.isv afragmentary view, partly in crossy section, as seen alongrline4-4 of'Fig. ,1;

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Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the bracket assembly showing the swingable' arm in a folded or collapsed position, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in cross section 'as taken along line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Y Y

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, it is seen that the bracket assembly includes a bracket arm generally indicated at 10 that normally extends transversely of front panel 11 (Fig. 2) and rear panel 12 of a cabinet. The bracket arm 10 consists of aninverted channel section having spaced side ilanges 13 and aV bridging piece 14 connecting the side flanges. Each end. of the bracket arm 10' is provided with laterally extending ilanges 15 formed as'a continuation of side flanges 13, the flanges 15 being provided withV apertures 16 (Fig. 3.) adapted to receive screws 17 (Fig. 2) that x the bracket assemblyv to the cabinet structure. f 5

A swingable arm, referred to at 20, is pivotally connected to the forward end portion of bracket arm 10, the swingable arm 20 being of channel section including side flanges 21 and a bridging portion 22. Asis seen in Figs. 2 and 4, the side anges 21 are located outwardly of and adjacent to the side flanges 13 of bracket arm 10. More particularly, the side flanges 21 include a pair of spaced fingerY projections 23 which are pivotally xed by pin 24. to anges 13 of arm 10, thepin 24 bridging the-pro` jections 23 and side flanges 13. A retaining ring 25 is disposed on each end of pin 24, and is adapted to abut the adjacent finger projection 23 so as to secure the pivotally related arms 10 and 2i).

When swingable arm 20 is moved to the extended posi tion shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the bridging portion 22 is; disposed in a substantially vertical plane. The uppermost margin 26 of bridging portion 22 is only slightly spaced from side flanges 13 of bracket arm 10, the reasons being more fully discussed later.

The bridging, piece 14 of bracket arm 10A is depressed at spaced regions along4 the longitudinal axis of arm 10. These depressions 27 project inwardly of arm 10 and be.- tween side ilanges 13. Secured by rivets 30 to-depressions 27 isY a guide strip 31 which is horizontally spaced fromside flanges 13 as is best viewed in` Fig. 1. For reasons. which will later appear, the guide strip 31 is provided with an angulate or dog-leg portion 32 near the rear or. right hand end (Fig.A 4), whereby to realizeV a regularly increasing dimension between' the strip 31 and top bridg ing piece 14 from the left hand rivet connection 'to the right hand rivet connection. y

A pair of braces 33 are utilizedy to retain swingable arm 2i) .in its extended position. One end of eachbrace.

33 is pivotally connected by pin 34 to arm 20, the pinV 34 transversely bridging side llanges 21. Retaining rings 35. shown in Figs. l and 2 are located on each end of pin 34, and engage adjacent side flange 21. Disposed about, pin 34 is a compression spring 36, the oppositev ends ofwhich engage braces 33, and tend to urge they braces laterally outwardly. A spacer element 37 is located on pin 34, and is disposed between each brace 33 and the ladjacent side flange 21. It is important that the apertures in braces 33 which receive and provide a mounting;

on pin 34 are of su'icient size and dimension to permit the braces 33 to. be moved laterally inward along-the axis of pin 34 against the loading of spring 36.

Considerably spaced from the pivotal connectionof braces 33 and arm 20, the braces 33 are provided with instruck lugs 40. Mounted on lugs 40 is another compression spring 41 which tends to urge braces 33 laterally outward. The opposite ends of braces 33 are forcedVV outwardl-yby the actionofthe spring 41 andito a lesser! degree by spring 36 into frictional contact with theintern'al wall ofside flanges 1'3, l

Each of side anges 13 of bracket arm 10 is provided with an instruck portion that constitutes an abutment 42 that coacts with adjacent brace 33 to retain swingable arm 2,0 in an extended position.V Each abutment 42 is formed to provide an inner camming surface that normally engages the side `of the adjacent brace 33 and acts to move the brace inwardly against spring loading when arm 2t) is extended. To lcooperate with these abutments 42, each of the braces 33 is provided with a shoulder 43 adapted operatively to engage the adjacent abutment 42 upon com plete extension of arm 20, the springs 36 and 41 tending toV urge the braces 33 laterally outward in a direction to permit automatic operative engagement of shoulders 43 with abutrnents 42.

The braces 33 are further provided with lianges 44 that are received and retained between guide strip 31 and 'bridging piece v14 of arm 10. These anges 44 are horizontally disposed when swingable arm is fully extended so that flanges 44 will eectively abut bridging piece 14 to assist shoulder 43 and abutment 42 in securely holding and locking arm 2li. A space is provided between flanges 44 as is shown in Fig. 1 to enable disconnection Vof shoulders 43 from abutments 42 upon depressing braces 33 laterally inwardly against the loading of springs 36 and 41. As will be apparent from Fig. 5, the ilanges 44 will assume a slightly canted position when arm 20 is moved to a folded position. Obviously, the spacing between guide strip 31 and bridging portion 14, as described previously, accommodates this change in angular relation. The flanges 44 and hence braces 33 are constrained to reciprocating movement by guide strip 31 upon actuation of arm 20.

Each of braces 33 is provided with a marginal recess 45 which accommodates instruck abutments 42 when braces 33 and arm 20 are collapsed, as is clearly shown v lby Fig. 5. A dimple 46 formed in one side flange 21 of arm 20 is adapted for projection into a compatible aperture 47 provided in the corresponding and adjacent side flange 13 of arm 10, hence serving to retain arm 20 in a folded relation. The springse 36 and 41 Ialso serve to hold arm,20 in any angle from the folded to the extended positions since the springs urge braces 33 into contiguous relation and frictional engagement with side flanges 14. Of course, the frictional force is not great enough to impede or obstruct easy sliding actuation of braces 33 on sideanges 13 upon manual operation of arm 20.

Y To prevent any objectionableplay of arm 2t) when extended for use, an adjustable means is provided that acts to retain arm 20 in an absolutely rigid position, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Secured to the underside of bridging piece 14 is a boss 50 having a central bore or passage. An aperture 51 is provided in bridging piece 14 in register with this bore. Fastened to the lower end of boss 50 is a nut 52, and located in the bore of boss 5@ is a screw element 53 that threadedly engages nut 52. The screw element 53 is readily accessible through the top of piece 14 so as to regulate thervertical extension of its lower end below boss 50. As swingable arm 20 is extended, the margin 26 abuts screw element 53 immediately upon operative engagement of shoulders 43 with abutments 42. This adjustable screw element 53 realizes an arrangement which eliminates certain exacting requirements of manufacture, such as the exact location of pin 24, and the otherwise precise machining of margin 26.

A bracket 54 is Vfastened by rivets 55 to the lower end of arm 20 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4), and is adapted for mounting an appliance which is generally indicated and shown at S6.

It is believed that the operation and use of the bracket Y Assuming that the initial position of arm 20 is foldedk as is shown in Fig. 5, when the arm is swung downwardly about pin 24, the flanges 44 are Vconstrained by guide strip 31 to a predetermined path of movement to assure automatic engagement of shoulders 43 with abutments' 42. The spring 41 tends to urge the ends of 'braces 33 apart into contiguous relation withV side flanges 13. As braces 33 are moved forwardly, the brace ends bear against abutments 42, and are cammed inwardly against spring loading. When arm 2i) is disposed vertically Aas determined by engagement of margin 26 with screw elementV 53, the sides of the braces 33 clear the abutments 42, and hence braces 33 are urged or snapped outwardly so that shoulders 43 operatively engage abutments 42. t

To release the braces 33 incident to folding arm 29, the braces are squeezed or depressed inwardly against spring loading to disengage shoulders 43 from abutments 42. Then the arm 2t) may be swung upwardly and rearwardly to the collapsed position of Fig. 5. In the preferred structure, the spring 41 is located so that the above described pressure exerted on the braces 33 may be trans mitted substantially directly to spring 41. In other words, the spring 41 is located :between braces 33 in the region normally gripped Ato exert force on the braces to effect release of the braces.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention j l l I l. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm having side flanges, a swingable arm pivotally connected to said bracket arm, an abutment on one of said sider anges of said bracket arm, a pair of braces, one end of each said brace being pivotally connected to said swingable arm, a guide means fixed stationary on said bracket arm, the other end of each said brace slidably coacting with said guide means, and slidably engaging said side flanges, said guide means restraining the brace ends to a predetermined path of movement to insure operative engagement of one of said braces with said abutment, whereby to retain said swingable arm in an extended position, and a spring element disposed between said braces, the spring tending to urge said braces into sliding engagement with said side flanges, and tending to urge said one brace into operative engagement with said abutment, the said one brace being laterally depressible under loading of the spring element to disengage from said labutment.

2. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm including side flanges, a swingabley arm pivotally connected to said bracket arm, a pair of braces, one end of each said brace being pivotally connected to said swingable arm, means for restraining the opposite'end of each said brace for reciprocating movement within said side flanges, an abutment on at least one of said side flanges, at least one of said braces having a shoulder adapted to engage said abutment to retain said swingable arm in an extended position, and spring means disposed between said braces, the spring means tending to urge said braces'into slidable engagement with said side flanges, and adapted to urge the said brace having said shoulder laterally against one of said side flanges to permit engagement of said shoulder with said abutment, the last said brace being depressible inwardly toward the other brace against the loading of the spring means to disengage said shoulder from said abutment.

3. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm including side flanges, a swingable arm pivotally connected to said bracket arm, a pair of braces pivotally connected to said swingable arm, an abutment kon each of said side flanges, a spring element disposed between and interconnecting said braces, and adapted to urge said braces laterally outward against said side flanges for sliding engagement, each of said braces being provided with a shoulder adapted to engage an abutment to retain the swingable arm in an extended position, and a guide means iixed in stationary position on said bracket arm `adapted to receive and retain a portion of each said brace for reciprocating movement, said braces being depressible toward each other against the loading of the spring element to disengage said shoulders from said abutments to permit folding of said swingable arm.

4. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm, a swingable arm pivotally connected to said bracket arm, a brace, a pivot pin pivotally connecting one end of said brace to said swingable arm, a spring element operatively connected to said brace, `said spring element normally tending to urge said brace toward said swingable arm, said spring element permitting a lateral movement of said brace along said pivot pin and away from said swingable arm, an abutment on said bracket arm, means fixed stationary on the bracket arm for restraining the other end of the brace to a reciprocating movement, said brace including a shoulder normally engaging said abutment to retain the swingable arm in an extended position, a second spring element connected to said brace and spaced from the rst said spring element, the second spring element tending to urge the brace in a direction to elect engagement of the shoulder and the abutment, the brace being movable against the loading of said springs to disengage said shoulder and abutment.

5. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm, a swingable arm pivotally connected to said bracket arm, said swingable arm having side flanges, a pair of braces, a pivot pin connecting one end of each brace to the side anges, a spring element disposed at said pin and operatively connecting said braces, the spring element normally urging said braces in a direction toward said side anges, said spring element permitting lateral movement of said braces along said pin against the loading of said spring element, an abutment on said bracket arm, one of said braces having a shoulder normally engaging said abutment to retain the swingable arm in an extended position, means for restraining the other end of each brace to reciprocating movement upon actuation of said swingable arm, and a second spring element disposed between and interconnecting said braces, the brace having the shoulder being movable against the loading of the second spring element to disengage the shoulder from said abutment.

6. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm having side flanges, a swingable arm pivotally connected to said bracket arm, said swingable arm having side anges, a pair of spaced braces, a pivot pin connecting one end of each brace to the side flanges of said swingable arm, a spring element disposed about said pin and between said braces, said spring element permitting lateral movement of said braces along said pin against the loading of said spring element, an abutment on each side ange of said bracket arm, each of said braces having a shoulder normally engaging one of said abutments to retain the swingable arm in an extended position, means for restraining .the other end of each brace to reciprocating movement upon actuation of said swingable arm, and a second spring element disposed between and interconnecting said braces, said second spring element being spaced from said pin, each of said braces being laterally inwardly depressible against the loading of said spring elements to disengage v swingable arm being pivotally connected to said side iianges of said bracket arm, a pair of spaced braces, a pivot pin connecting one end of each brace to the side lianges of said swingable arm, a compression spring element disposed around the pin, and engaging said braces, said spring element permitting laterally inward movement of said braces along said pin against the loading of said spring element, a guide strip connected to said bracket arm, the other end of each said brace being provided with an inturned tab, said tabs being retained between said guide strip and said bracket arm, an abutment extending inwardly of each side flange of said bracket arm, a second compression spring element disposed between and interconnecting said braces, said second spring element tending to urge said braces laterally outward against the side flanges of said bracket arm, each of said braces being provided with a shoulder adapted to engage one `of said abutments to retain the swingable arm in an extended position, said braces being laterally inwardly depressible against the loading of said spring elements to disengage said shoulders and abutments.

8. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm of inverted channel section having side anges and a bridging portion, laterally projecting flanges on each end of said bracket arm adapted for attaching the bracket arm to the underside of a cabinet, a swingable arm of channel section having side anges and a bridging portion, the side flanges of said swingable arm being pivotally connected to said side flanges of said bracket arm,'a pair of spaced braces, a pivot pin connecting one end of each brace to the side anges of said swingable arm, a spacer element between each of the braces and the adjacent side ange of the swingable arm, a compression spring element disposed about the pin, and engaging said braces, said spring element permitting laterally inward movement of said braces along said pin against the loading of said spring element, a guide strip connected to the underside of the bridging piece of said bracket arm, the other end of each said brace being provided with an inturned tab, said tabs being retained between said guide strip and said bridging piece of the bracket arm, an abutment extending inwardly of each side flange of said bracket arm, a second compression spring element disposed between and interconnecting said braces, and being considerably spaced from the rst said spring element, said second spring element tending to urge said braces laterally outward against the side anges of said bracket arm, each of said braces being provided with a shoulder adapted to engage one of said abutments to retain the swingable arm in an extended position, said braces being laterally inwardly depressible against the loading of said spring elements to disengage said shoulders from said abutments, and an adjustable means interconnecting the bracket arm and said swingable arm to limit the extension of said swingable arm.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 313,940 Kehoe Mar. 17, 1885 1,406,468 McCullum Feb. 14, 1922 1,407,877 Mott Feb. 28, 1922 1,535,668 Jostedt Apr. 28, 1925 1,705,203 Patterson Mar. 12, 1929 1,776,198 Russ et al. Sept. 16, 1930 2,271,332 Ellington Jan. 2.7, 1942 2,273,854 Fitch Feb. 24, 1942 2,309,180 Filonowicz Jan. 26, 1943 2,636,707 Baker Apr. 28, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 688,158 Great Britain Feb. 25, 1953

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