GB2466829A

GB2466829A - Suction mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2466829A
Application number: GB0900332A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Pegden
Original assignee: Croydex Ltd
Current assignee: Croydex Ltd
Priority date: 2009-01-09
Filing date: 2009-01-09
Publication date: 2010-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2029-01-09
Also published as: GB0900332D0; GB2466829B

Abstract

A kit comprises a screw member 14, having a first substantially helical surface 15 comprising a screw for screwing into a surface, and a second substantially helical surface 16, and a mounting for mounting articles to a surface 18. The mounting comprises suction means for sealingly contacting the surface 18 there being pulling means attached to the suction means for drawing a part of the suction means away from the surface 18 so that a partial vacuum is created between the suction means and the surface. The pulling means also has a fourth substantially helical surface. The mounting further comprises a rotatable member 2 comprising a third substantially helical surface 6. Rotation of the rotatable member 2 draws the pulling means and respective part of the suction means away from the surface 18. The second substantially helical surface 16 is engageable with the third substantially helical surface 6, whereby the rotatable member may be fixed to the surface 18 without using the suction means.

Description

I

MOUNTING

The present invention relates to a kit and a mounting, for mounting articles to a surface such as vertical surface and to a method of fixing a mounting to a surface.

There are many methods of mounting small articles to surfaces such as vertical surfaces. The small articles include ones which can normally be lifted comfortably with one hand and may be, for example, bathroom fittings such as shelves, racks, equipment holders, mirrors, toilet roll holders, soap dispensers and towel holders. The mounting may also be for use in other areas, such as kitchens.

Such areas typically have glazed tiles, plastic, steel or glass surfaces and it has been very common to provide mountings which fix to such surfaces using a suction means.

An example of such a suction means can be seen in GB237301 9B, which describes a mounting means for removable attachment to a surface, comprising suction means for sealingly contacting the surface, pulling means attached to the suction means, for drawing a part of the suction means away from the surface, so that a partial vacuum is created between the suction means and the surface, the pulling means comprising a substantially helical surface engaged with a corresponding substantially helical surface of a rotatable member, whereby rotation of the rotatable member draws the pulling means and respective part of the suction means away from the surface, contact means, extending beyond the suction means, for contacting the surface, when in use, and an intermediate member, separate from the contact means, for engaging the sealing part of the suction means, the intermediate member, supporting the rotatable member to that it is at a substantially fixed distance from the surface in use.

Occasionally, it is desired to fix a suction mounting to a wall with a rough surface or some of other type of surface which is not suitable for forming a partial vacuum. In GB2373019, this can be achieved by driving a conventional wood screw through the central screw threaded bore of the rotatable member, into the wall, so that the screw holds the rotatable member in place. This allows any other structure designed to fix onto the rotatable member to be fixed to the rough wall.

The present inventors have realised that it is desirable to provide a mounting means which can be used selectively in a number of different ways, according to the type of surface available, being suitably provided in the form of a kit.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a mounting means for removable attachment to a surface, comprising a body having a contact means for applying pressure to a surface and a fixing means moveably engageable with a mount, wherein the mounting means is configured, when in use, to selectively either (i) engage with a mount such that the contact means is fixed to the surface, or (ii) engage with a mount provided on a suction means for biasing a portion of the suction means away from a surface to form a sealed contact therewith, while biasing a portion of the contact means towards the surface.

Preferably, the fixing means is configured to rotatably engage with a mount.

Preferably the fixing means is threadably engageable with a mount.

Preferably, the application of the mounting means to a mount is interchangeable between a mount that is pre-fixed to a surface, for applications where suction fit engagement cannot be a made with a surface and a mount that is provided on a suction means, for applications where a suction fit can be made to a surface.

Preferably, the fixing means encloses the end of the mount upon which the mounting means is mounted.

The mount may comprise a first substantially helical surface for fixable engagement with a surface and a second substantially helical surface for engagement with the fixing means.

Optionally, the mount may be mounted on suction means for sealingly contacting a surface and for threadable engagement with the fixing means.

Optionally, the present invention can provide a structure for removable attachment to the surface, the structure comprising mounting means according to the invention for removable attachment to a substantially vertical surface and a structural member removably mountable on the mounting means.

As an alternative to engaging the mount with a mounting means by screw-threaded surfaces, a bayonnette fitting may be used.

The present inventors have further realised that the rotatable member of a suction mounting can be fixed to a rough wall using a hanger screw or similar device.

A hanger screw comprises a first end, having a first screw thread, suitable for screwing into a surface, for example a self tapping screw thread, and a second end normally coaxial with the first end and comprising a screw thread for engaging a corresponding screw thread in a nut or threaded bore. The screw can be driven into a wall either by engaging flats formed on the side of the screw, for example between the first and second screw threads, or via a slot formed, for example, in the end having the second screw thread.

By using such a device, or one like it, the first thread can be screwed into a wall and then the rotatable member of a suction mounting can be screwed onto the second thread without any further modification. It is not necessary to pierce the end of the rotatable member to drive a screw through it. The fixing screw remains invisible in use. The rotatable member can be reused in future, as it is not damaged.

Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention provides a kit, comprising a screw member, comprising a first substantially helical surface comprising a screw thread for screwing into a surface, and a second substantially helical surface, a mounting for mounting articles to a wall, the mounting comprising suction means for sealingly contacting a surface, pulling means attached to the suction means for drawing a part of the suction means away from the surface so that a partial vacuum is created between the suction means and the surface, the pulling means comprising a fourth substantially helical surface, the mounting further comprising a rotatable member comprising a third substantially helical surface engageable with the first substantially helical surface, whereby rotation of the rotatable member draws the pulling means and respective part of the suction means away from the surface, and, the second substantially helical surface being engageable with the third substantially helical surface, whereby the rotatable member may be fixed to a surface without using the suction means.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of fixing a mounting to a surface, comprising fixing to the surface a screw member comprising a first substantially helical surface for screwing into the surface, and a second substantially helical surface, the second substantially helical surface being engageable with a third substantially helical surface on a rotatable member, whereby the rotatable member may be fixed to the surface by rotating it onto the second substantially helical surface.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a mounting for mounting to a surface, comprising a screw member, comprising a first substantially helical surface for screwing into the surface, and a second substantially helical surface, the second substantially helical surface being engageable with a third substantially helical surface formed on a rotatable member, whereby the rotatable member can be fixed to the surface by rotating it on to the second substantially helical surface.

Preferred and optional features of the invention will be described further below.

The surface to which the mounting is to be fixed is suitably a wall.

The mounting of the kit of the present invention suitably comprises any known suction mounting means, for example as described in GB237301 9. It may alternatively be as described in GB2403505 or W02006/1 29067.

The mounting may further comprise an intermediate member which, in use, is gripped between the rotatable member and the surface. Suitably, the intermediate member comprises a bore through which the screw member passes, when the mounting is fixed to the surface. Where the mounting comprises an intermediate member, the intermediate member may be discarded when fixing the mounting to the wall using the screw device.

The user may use the kit of the present invention by selecting either the screw member or the suction pad, depending upon whether the wall is engageable with a suction mounting or not.

The method of the present invention may comprise the step of taking the kit of the present invention, determining whether the surface can be engaged with a suction pad, employing the suction pad and the mounting if it is desired to use the suction pad, or rejecting the suction pad and using the screw member if the wall is not suitable for engagement using the suction pad.

The mounting may comprise any suitable means for mounting articles to the surface. For example, it may be for mounting articles as described above. It may comprise an internal or external surface for engaging at least part of a structure whereby the structure can be mounted using the mounting.

The mounting may be made of any suitable material, for example, metal, synthetic material such as plastic. It may comprise a mixture of materials. The Intermediate member, if present, may be made of any suitable material, such as metal, or synthetic material such as plastic.

The suction means may be made of any suitable material as will be known to the person skilled in the art.

The screw member may be made of any suitable material, but is preferably of metal.

The screw member may be made of one part or a plurality of parts. Where there are a plurality of parts, they may be fixed with respect to one another or movable with respect to one another.

Preferably, the screw member comprises a screw mount comprising the second substantially helical surface and a screw component, comprising the first substantially helical surface. Preferably, the screw mount comprises a bore for receiving the screw component. Preferably, the screw component comprises a conventional screw, such as a wood screw. Such conventional screws are commercially available and can be selected according to the kind of surface to which the mounting is to be attached. The kit may comprise a plurality of different types of screw, depending upon the type of surface to be engaged.

The screw mount preferably comprises a projection having the second substantially helical surface. Preferably the second substantially helical surface is a screw thread. Preferably the projection has the bore extending coaxially therethrough.

Normally, the first substantially helical surface will be an external screw thread, though it may be an internal screw thread if the surface has a projecting screw.

Similarly, the second substantially helical surface is suitably an external screw thread, though it may be an internal screw thread. The third and fourth substantially helical surfaces will be internal screw threads if the second substantially helical surface is an external screw thread and vice versa.

in the method of the invention, the screw mount can be placed adjacent the surface and the screw component used to engage the surface by screwing through the bore in the screw mount.

The first substantially helical surface may comprise a screw thread of any design commonly used for engaging surfaces, including screw threads with interruptions.

The screw member may comprise any suitable means for rotationally driving the screw member. For example, at least one flat may be provided on the screw member. The flat may be located between the first substantially helical surface and the second substantially helical surface.

Alternatively, a drive formation may be formed in the end comprising the second substantially helical surface, for example a slot may be provided which is engageable for example with a screw driver.

The screw device may comprise a hanger screw or double-ended screw.

These are commercially available, being commonly used for the manufacture of furniture.

The first substantially helical surface preferably comprises a self-tapping thread so that it can be easily driven into a wall surface.

The second substantially helical surface suitably comprises a screw thread formed on a shank of constant diameter. The screw thread of the second substantially helical surface will then be rotatably engageable with the third substantially helical surface of the rotatable member, which comprises a corresponding screw threaded bore or other means for engaging the screw thread.

The fourth substantially helical surface suitably comprises an externally threaded shank which is engageable with the third substantially helical surface which, in this case, comprises a screw threaded bore.

The kit of the present invention may further comprise an anchoring device for enhancing the bond between the first substantially helical surface and a wall, where the wall comprises a material which is difficult to grip with a screw surface, such as masonry or plaster.

Adhesive means may be provided, for example on the rotatable member but also possibly on an intermediate member or on the screw mount if present, for enhancing the bond between the mounting and the surface of a wall.

Sealing means, such as an 0-ring may be provided, for example on the rotatable member or on the intermediate member.

In the method of the present invention, the kit of the invention may be used. In this case, the user will discard the suction pad and use only the screw member and the mounting.

The mounting of the present invention may form part of the kit of the invention.

In the method of the present invention, a hole may be first of all prepared before screwing the screw member to the wall. However, in some circumstances, the screw member can be screwed directly into the wall surface without prior preparation.

The invention also extends to a structure comprising a mounting according to the present invention, for removable attachment to a substantially vertical surface, and a structural member removably mountable on the mounting.

The present invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a plan view of a mounting for use in the kit or the method of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the mounting for use in the kit or the method of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view along line Ill-Il of figure 1 showing the mounting for use with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a sketch view of a first embodiment of screw member for use in the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic cross sectional view showing the mounting of the present invention fixed to a wall surface using the screw member of figure 4.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of a structure mounted on a wall using the mounting of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of screw member for use in the present invention, disassembled.

Figure 8 is a schematic view of the screw member of Figure 7, assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a mounting for use in the invention. The mounting I is as described in GB2373019. The mounting 1 shown in figure 1 comprises a rotatable member 2. The rotatable member 2 comprises a central boss having a small diameter portion 3 and a larger diameter portion 4. It comprises three scalloped parts 5.

The rotatable member 2 can be seen in cross section in figure 3. The right hand side of figure 3 passes through a scalloped portion 5. Figure 3 also shows a threaded bushing 6 which is formed within the central boss of the rotatable member 2. The threaded bushing defines the third substantially helical surface of the invention. Figure 3 also shows an intermediate member 7. The rotatable member 2 contacts the intermediate member 7 in an annular bearing zone 8.

The mounting I further comprises a suction means in the form of a PVC pad 9 of circular plan. Attached to the centre of the suction means 9 there is a pulling means 10 comprising a screw threaded projection which is engaged within the screw threaded bore 6. The screw-threaded projection defines the fourth substantially helical surface of the invention.

The intermediate member 7 is shown in side and plan views at the same scale infigures4 and 5.

The part of the rotatable member having the screw threaded portion 6 projects through a bore 11 formed in the intermediate member.

The circumferential edge 12 of the intermediate member, in one form of use, presses down on the circumferential edge 13 of the suction means.

If a smooth surface is available, the mounting can be placed with the suction means 9 in contact with the smooth surface. The rotatable means 2 is then rotated. As a result of the engagement of screw threaded pulling means 10 in the screw threaded bore 6, the pulling means is drawn upwards in the direction shown in the arrow, drawing the centre section of the suction means 9 upwards.

As a result, the rotatable member 2 is drawn downwards. The downward force on the rotatable member 2 is transferred to the intermediate member 7 through the annular bearing zone 8. This downward force is in turn transmitted by the intermediate member 7, through it circumferential portion 12 to the circumferential portion of the suction member 9, thereby improving the seal.

The rotatable member 2 can be rotated until the desired force is obtained. The outer periphery of the rotatable member 2 contacts or nearly contacts the surface outside the circumferential edge of the suction means 9. If the outer periphery of the rotatable member does not contact the surface 14 in the unloaded position, it will contact the surface if a sufficiently large weight is extended from the mounting.

If an article is suspended from the central boss 4, the resulting twisting forces will be transmitted to the surface via the lower peripheral edge of the rotatable member 2 when they contact the surface. In this way, the twisting forces are not transmitted to the suction means 9 and the seal is preserved.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a screw member 14 for use in the kit, the method and the mounting of the present invention.

It comprises a first end having a self-tapping screw thread 15, which corresponds to the first substantially helical surface of the present invention, and which is engageable with the material of a wall, for example wood or masonry.

At the opposite end, there is a screw-threaded portion 16 of constant diameter, corresponding to the second substantially helical surface of the invention. The surface 16 is configured to be screwed into the threaded bushing 6 of the

rotatable member 2.

A slot 17 is formed at the right hand end for engagement, for example, with a screw driver.

Figure 5 shows a mounting according to the present invention, assembled using the screw member 14.

The screw member 14 has been first of all screwed into a wall 18 (which may in practice be vertical) using the screw-threaded portion 15, leaving the second screw thread 16 projecting from the surface. The intermediate member 7 has been placed on the surface of the wall 18 and the rotatable member 2 screwed on to the second screw thread 16 using the threaded bushing 6, until the rotatable member 2 is firmly fixed in position.

In this case, the intermediate member has been retained for extra strength, but it could equally be rejected.

Figure 6 shows a pair of mountings 1 according to the invention mounted on a surface. They may be mounted using either the suction means 13 or the screw member 14. A box 18, to be mounted by the mountings 1, is provided. When in position, the box 18 will extend for 10cm or more from the smooth surface in the horizontal direction. . The box 18, to be mounted by the mounting 1, comprises a pair of keyhole shaped slots 17. The lower part of each keyhole shaped slot 17 is of a diameter sufficiently large for it to pass over the larger diameter portion 4 of the boss on the rotatable member 2. The narrower, slot, part of the keyhole shaped slot 17 is of width less than the larger diameter portion 4 but bigger than the smaller diameter portion 3 of the boss. As a result, the keyhole shaped slot can be passed over the boss until it comes to rests with the narrow slot firmly held on the smaller diameter portion 3 of the boss, whereby the box 18 is mounted on the smooth surface 15.

The second embodiment of screw member 19, comprises a conventional screw 20, for example a wood screw, and a screw mount 21. The screw mount 21 has a flange 22 for fixing adjacent the surface, a projection 23 which has an external thread corresponding to the second substantially helical surface, and a bore 24 which is of size sufficient to allow the wood screw 20 to pass smoothly therethrough. In use, the screw mount 21 is placed adjacent to the surface at the desired position and the screw 20 is screwed into the surface, through the bore 24 until the screw mount 21 is fixed in place.

The present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications can be made within the spirit of the invention, which extends to equivalents of the features described. The invention also consists in any individual features described or implicit herein or shown or implicit in the drawings or any combination of any such features or any generalisation of any such features or combination.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A kit, comprising a screw member, comprising a first substantially helical surface comprising a screw for screwing into a surface, and a second substantially helical surface a mounting for mounting articles to a wall, the mounting comprising suction means for sealingly contacting a surface, pufling means attached to the suction means for drawing a part of the suction means away from the surface so that a partial vacuum is created between the suction means and the surface, the pulling means comprising a fourth substantially helical surface, the mounting further comprising a rotatable member comprising a third substantially helical surface engageable with the first substantially helical surface, whereby rotation of the rotatable member draws the pulling means and respective part of the suction means away from the surface, and the second substantially helical surface being engageable with the third substantially helical surface, whereby the rotatable member may be fixed to a surface without using the suction means.
2. A kit according to Claim 1, wherein the screw member is made of one part.
3. A kit according to Claim 2, wherein the screw member is a hanger screw
4. A kit according to Claim 1, wherein the screw member comprises a screw mount comprising the second substantially helical surface and a screw component, comprising the first substantially helical surface.
5. A kit according to Claim 1, wherein the screw component comprises a standard screw.6 A method of fixing a mounting to a surface, comprising fixing to the surface a screw member comprising a first substantially helical surface for screwing into the surface, and a second substantially helical surface, the second substantially helical surface being engageable with a third substantially helical surface on a rotatable member, whereby the rotatable member may be fixed to the surface by rotating it onto the second substantially helical surface 7. A mounting for mounting to a surface, comprising a screw member, comprising a first substantially helical surface for screwing into the surface, and a second substantially helical surface, the second substantially helical surface being engageable with a third substantially helical surface formed on a rotatable member, whereby the rotatable member can be fixed to the surface by rotating it on to the second substantially helical surface.8. A kit for forming a mounting, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.9. A mounting, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.10. A method of fixing a mounting to a surface, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.