Attachment mechanism

April 16, 1957 e. j. nowicki 2,788,902

ATTACHMENT MECHANISM Filed Nov. 16, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1

<img file="US2788902A_D0001.tif" />

April 16, 1957

2,788,902

E. J. NOWICKI

ATTACHMENT MECHANISM

Filed Nov. 16, 1955

Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US2788902A_D0002.tif" />

ATTortwEVS

E. J. NOWICKI

ATTACHMENT MECHANISM

April 16, 1957

Filed Nov. 16, 1955

2,788,902

Sheets-Sheet 3

<img file="US2788902A_D0003.tif" />

A-rTORNW

United States Patent Office

2,788,902

Patented Apr. 16, 1957

2,788,902

ATTACHMENT MECHANISM

Edwin J. Nowicki, Bronson, Mich., assignor to L. A.

Darling Company, Bronson, Mich., a corporation of Delaware

Application November 16,1955, Serial No. 547,194

Claims. (Cl. 211—147)

This invention relates to an attachment mechanism, and, more particularly, to such a mechanism for attaching a shelf, counter top or similar structure to a supporting bracket

Numerous systems involving brackets and supporting members of one type or another have been suggested for use in the merchandise display field. Such systems are intended to be flexible in the sense that the positions and numbers of brackets for supporting shelves, counter tops and other display media can be varied to accommodate changing requirements in the display field.

The flexibility of such systems can be greatly increased by utilizing the modular construction concept so that shelves, counter tops or the like of a required length are produced from the requisite number of modular sections. Each such modular section can then abut against an adjacent section, constitute in itself an entire shelf, counter top or the like, or constitute one end of a shelf, counter top or the like.

The instant invention is based upon the discovery of an improved attachment mechanism for locking shelves, counter tops or the like to supporting brackets.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide such an improved locking mechanism.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a display or other assembly comprising brackets, supporting members therefor, and shelves, counter tops or the like clamped to the bracket members by an improved mechanism.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the description which follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which—

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a specific display or other structure wherein shelves, counter tops or the like are attached to bracket members by an improved mechanism according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view along either of the lines 2—2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective from the position indicated by the line 3—3 of Fig. 1, showing details of an attachment mechanism according to the invention;

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective similar to Fig. 3 taken from the position indicated by the line 4—4 of Fig. 1 and showing details of the attachment mechanism used in a different way;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing details of the attachment mechanism of Figs. 3 and 4 fastened to a shelf, counter top or the like;

Fig. 6 is a partially schematic representation in vertical elevation, with parts broken away, showing details of a bracket which is also shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a view in horizontal section along the line 7—7 oi Fig. 6, and showing further details of the bracket;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view along the line 8—8 of Fig· 3;

Fig. 9 is a view in perspective similar to Fig. 3 showing a modification of an attachment mechanism according to the invention which is adapted for cooperation with a different bracket;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 4, and showing the attachment mechanism of Fig. 9, but used in a ₅ different way; and

Fig. 11 is a view in perspective showing the attachment mechanism of Figs. 9 and 10 fastened to a shelf, counter top, or the like.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, and parχθ ticularly to Fig. 1, the display or other structure shown comprises a plurality of wall panels 10, the edges of which are engaged in side channel portions of vertical uprights 11. The uprights 11 can be supported in any suitable manner (not illustrated); for example, they can be bolted j₅ to an existing wall structure or engaged in suitable clips at their upper and lower extremities. The uprights 11 have forward opening restricted channel portions 12 in which engaging portions of brackets indicated generally at 13 and 14 are seated as subsequently discussed in more 20 detail. The brackets 13 and 14 support, respectively, edges of shelf sections 15 and 16.

Each of the brackets 13 and 14 has an engaging portion indicated generally at 17 which, in the specific structure shown, is composed of a generally flat body part 18 with 25 a channel-shaped projecting portion 19 extending lengthwise thereof.

As will be apparent from Fig. 2, the channel-shaped projecting portion 19 seats in the restricted channel portion 12 of the uprights 11, and the brackets 13 and 14 30 are clamped in any desired position relative to the uprights by a retainer 20 into which a member 21 is threaded. The member 21 extends through an opening in the web of the channel portion 19, and can be tightened against shoulders 22 of the uprights 11 merely by turning 35 the member 21 relative to the retainer 20. When it is desired to separate either of the brackets 13 or 14 from one of the uprights 11 the member 21 is rotated relative to the retainer 20 to release the latter from the shoulders 22, and then turned until the retainer is axially aligned 40 with the restricted channel opening 12. In this position the retainer can be withdrawn through the restricted channel.

As will be apparent from Figs. 3 and 4, each of the brackets 13 and 14 has a supporting member indicated 45 generally at 23. Each supporting member 23 is composed of a channel 24 having a web and side walls, and flanges 25, which constitute the supports for shelf sections, or the like, which are structurally integral with the free edges of the side walls of the channels 24, and which extend out50 wardly therefrom generally parallel to the webs of the channels 24. Longitudinally disposed slots 26 are provided in the web of the channel 24 (see also Fig. 7).

The two shelf sections 15 and 16 are identical in structural details. Attached to the underside of each, as 55 will be apparent from Fig. 5, are cooperating engaging mechanisms generally indicated respectively at 27 and 28. The mechanism 27 comprises a plate portion 29 welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the underside of the shelf section 15 or 16, and generally parallel upturned flange 60 portions 30 structurally integral therewith. l ocking fingers 31 are structurally integral with the flange portions 30, constituting, in essence, extensions thereof. Each of the fingers 31 has a rounded undercut nose portion which, in cooperation with a portion of the edge of 65 one of the flanges 30 defines a slot 32. The length of each of the fingers 31 is such that, when longitudinally aligned therewith, it will slip through either of the openings 26 in the web of the channel portion of the bracket 13 or 14.

The engaging mechanism 28 comprises a web portion 33 welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the underside of the shelf section 15 or 16 and arms 34 structurally

2,788,002 integral therewith. The arms 34 are composed, of portions 35 which are generally parallel to one another, and portions 36 so shaped that they converge toward one another to define a restricted channel portion 37.

As will be apparent, from Figs. 3 and 4, the width of the restricted channel portion 37 is such that either of the flanges 25 can be positioned therein with the flange engaged under one of the portions 36 of the arms 35, and held in such engagement by the other of the portions 36, which bears against the side arm of the channel 24 which is structurally integral with the engaged flange (see also Fig. 8).

In order to disengage a shelf section 15 or 16 from a bracket supporting number 23 it is necessary only to move the bracket, relative to the section, in the direction of the generally horizontal arrows in Figs. 3 and 4 until the rounded nose portion of the finger 31 is aligned with the slot. 26, and then to move the rear extremity of the section in the direction of the generally vertical arrow until the fingers 31 clear the slots 26. The section can then be moved farther in the direction of the horizontal arrows until the engaged flange 25 is free of the mechanism 28. A section is engaged on a bracket portion 23 by reversing the procedure just described.

The spacing between the slots 26 and the web of the channel member 24 and between the fingers 31 of the mechanism 27 is such that when one of the flanges 25 is engaged in the mechanism 28, one of the fingers 31 is aligned with a slot 26, while the other clears the edge of the engaged flange 25, while, when the other of the flanges 25 is engaged in the mechanism 28, the other finger 31 is aligned with the other of the slots 26, while the first finger clears the engaged flange 25.

Referring now to Fig. 9, a shelf or counter top section 38 is shown attached to a supporting member 39 of a bracket indicated generally at 49. The supporting member 39 of the bracket 40 is generally flat and has a pair of spaced parallel openings 41 provided therein (see Fig. 10). An engaging mechanism indicated generally at 42 and an engaging mechanism 27 are welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the underside of the section 38.

As will be apparent from Fig. 11, the mechanism 27 is identical with that described in connection with Fig. 5, being composed of a plate portion 29 welded or otherwise attached to the section 38, flange portions 30, and locking fingers 31.

The engaging mechanism 42 comprises a plate portion 43 which is attached to the section 38, and is structurally integral with an upturned portion 44 to which is welded or otherwise rigidly attached a channeled portion composed of a web 45 and side walls 46.

Referring again to Fig. 9, the bracket 40 is shown in engagement with the section 38. One of the fingers 31 of the mechanism 27 extends through one of the openings 41, and the forward extremity of the supporting portion 39 of the bracket 40 is engaged between the side arms 46 of the engaging mechanism 42.

The section 38 and the bracket 40 are shown in a second engaged relationship in Fig. 10, with the other of the fingers 31 extending through the other of the openings 41. It will be noted that, in Fig. 10, an edge 47 of the supporting portion 39 of the bracket 40 abuts against the web 45, while this edge is spaced from the web in the assembly of Fig. 9. The assembly of Fig. 10, like the assembly of Fig. 4, leaves approximately one half of the supporting portion of the bracket extending beyond the end of the supported section, and available for engagement with an abutting section. In the assemblies of Figs. 9 and 10, however, only the side arms 46 of the channel of the supporting mechanism 42 prevent relative movement between the section and the bracket. This is effective for preventing relative vertical movement, but does not prevent relative horizontal movement longitudinal of the section 38. The assemblies of Figs. 3 and 4 are, therefore, preferred because of the positive engage4 ment between the portions 36 of the mechanism 28 and one of the flanges 24 of the bracket 23.

In the assembly of Fig. 10, like that of Fig. 4, the entire supporting portion of the bracket is positioned in vertical alignment with some part of the section. Such an assembly is used as at the exposed end of the section 16 shown in Fig. 1 where it is not desired to abut an adjacent section to such end.

While the invention has been described as applied to the attachment of shelf, counter top or other modular sections to brackets engaged in interior clamping engagement in a suitable channel member, it will be apparent that it is equally applicable to brackets engaged in other ways in suitable supports. For example, the supports can be slotted strip members, longitudinally extending members provided with keyhole slots, or other, so long as the brackets have suitable cooperative means for engagement thereon. Other changes and modifications can be made from the specific details shown in the attached drawings and discussed in connection therewith without departing from the spirit of the attached claims. In its essential details, the invention provides a shelf or other modular section for engagement with a cooperating bracket having a supporting member and an opening through the supporting member. The section is characterized by an engaging mechanism and a locking mechanism, each structurally integral with the section. The engaging mechanism comprises arms positioned for sliding engagement with an extremity of the supporting member of the cooperating bracket, while the locking mechanism comprises a finger insertable, by relative lateral movement between the bracket supporting member and the section, in the opening in the supporting member when the extremity thereof is engaged by the arms of the engaging mechanism, and means structurally integral with the finger for engaging a surface of the supporting member adjacent the opening therethrough to prevent, in at least one relative longitudinal position therebetween, relative lateral movement between the section and the supporting member.