Mounting devices

• US 20050017144A1
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dyno Seasonal Solutions LLC (Dyno LLC)
• Original Assignee: Emerald Innovations LLC
• Inventors: Jackson, Trevor, Fick, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 7,357,364 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/309.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0846 Display panels or rails with elongated channels; Sliders, brackets, shelves, or the like, slidably attached therein
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/0832 without load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/04 internal, i.e. with spreading action F16B2/14 - F16B2/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable

Abstract

Support devices are provided which are adapted for releasably mounting items on structures, such as structures constructed of brick, stone, concrete or cinder block, or other comparable materials. The devices comprise expander and support portions, the expander portion comprising two inter-fitting wedge members which slidably and adjustably engage with each other for adjustable insertion and fixation within the gaps, such as mortar joints between bricks, stones or blocks. The support portion removably attaches to the expander portion, and supports items with support members in the form of hooks, clips, pegs, and the like.

Claims

1. A support device comprising expander and support portions,

the expander portion comprising a first and a second wedge member, each wedge member comprising a base, a side, an incline, and forward and rearward faces, wherein said wedge members are adapted to slidably engage with one another,

the support portion attached to the expander portion, and comprising a support member.

2. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the expander and support portions are made of a polymeric material, metal, wood, or combinations thereof.

3. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the expander and support portions are made of a polymeric material.

10. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the base of one or both wedge members comprises surface texture.

11. The support device according to claim 10, wherein the surface texture is in the form of teeth, grooves, or bumps.

12. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the expander portion comprises an actuation means for displacement of the wedge members

13. The support device according to claim 12, wherein the actuation means comprises at least one grip disposed on the forward face of each wedge member.

14. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the expander portion comprises a retainer for attaching the support portion.

15. The support device according to claim 14, wherein the support portion comprises an elongated arm having first and second ends, and wherein the elongated arm comprises at its first end a member that interfits with the retainer of the second wedge member and comprises at its second end the support member.

16. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the support member is selected from the group consisting of a hook, clip, and peg.

4. A support device comprising expander and support portions,

the expander portion comprising a first and a second wedge member, each wedge member comprising a base, a side, an incline, and forward and rearward faces, said first wedge member comprising a means for slidably engaging with said second wedge member, and said second wedge member comprising a means for slidably receiving said first wedge member;

the support portion attached to the expander portion, and comprising a support member.

5. The support device according to claim 4, wherein said means for slidably engaging with said second wedge member comprises a ridge disposed along the length of the incline of said first wedge member, and wherein said means for slidably receiving said first wedge member comprises a recess disposed along the length of the incline of said second wedge member.

6. The support device according to claim 5, wherein the first wedge member comprises at least one groove disposed along the length of the incline and parallel to the ridge, said at least one groove having a length that is shorter than the length of the ridge, and wherein said second wedge member comprises a projection disposed within the recess, wherein the projection of said second wedge member aligns with the groove of said first wedge member when the wedge members are engaged in slidable connection such that the projection slides within the groove and prevents the wedge members from slidably disengaging when the projection encounters a first or second end of the groove.

7. The support device according to claim 5, wherein the recess is formed by two parallel edges that run the length of the incline of the second wedge member.

8. The support device according to claim 7, wherein the parallel edges are flared.

9. The support device according to claim 7, wherein the parallel edges are in the shape of teeth.

17. A support device comprising expander and support portions,

the expander portion comprising a first and a second wedge member, each wedge member comprising a base, a side, an incline, and forward and rearward faces, said first wedge member comprising a ridge disposed along the length of the incline, said second wedge member comprising a recess disposed along the length of the incline, wherein the recess of said second wedge member is adapted to slidably receive the ridge of said first wedge member, said second wedge member further comprising a retainer for interfitting with the support portion;

the support portion comprising a member interfitting with the expander portion, and a support member.

18. The support device according to claim 17, wherein the retainer comprises at least one mechanical stop, and wherein the support portion comprises a member which is engaged by the at least one mechanical stop.

20. The support device according to claim 17, wherein the retainer comprises a semi-elliptical aperture on its forward face which is either parallel or perpendicular to the base of the wedge member, and a circular aperture on its rearward face, and wherein the support portion member that interfits with the expander portion comprises a projection having a semi-elliptical shape

wherein the retainer reversibly receives and interfits with the support portion.

19. The support device according to claim 19, wherein the at least one mechanical stop is disposed within an aperture, and wherein the support portion member that interfits with the expander portion comprises at least one tab which engages with the at least one mechanical stop.