WO1982003539A1 - Method of and means for supporting shelving or the like from walls or other support surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of supporting a shelf to in a substantially horizontal position against a surface such as a wall comprises a predetermined length of inextensible plastic strap (1) of which the free ends (1a) and (1b) are retained within an elongate tubular metal clip. Each end of the strap is turned around a respective side wall of the clip to secure same whereby the shelf (2) hangs in the sling so formed. A nail or screw (4) passes through the wrapped around ends of the strap and a suitable aperture provided in the clip to secure this assembly to the wall.

Description

"Method of and means for supporting shelving or the like from walls or other support surfaces"

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for supporting shelving and similar articles from walls and other support surfaces. Known means for supporting shelves, for example, comprise right angular brackets secured to a vertical wall surface and to the lower part of the shelf. With a force applied to the shelf there is a bending moment about the lower part of the bracket which causes the shelf and any upper fixing to be subject to a lateral force and hence it is essential to ensure that the upper fixing is secure. The upper part of the bracket also has to be rigid to resist flexure due to weight of the shelf or articles thereon.

It is one object of this invention to provide a shelf support system which avoids the above-mentioned disadvantage relating to under supported shelves but which, nevertheless, is of simple construction and easy to secure and assemble.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shelf support system which can be supplied as a kit of parts to be adapted easily for various sizes of shelf and which can be readily assembled to provide support for any particular need.

Yet a further object is to provide a system which cam be rapidly and easily assembled to form an effective load bearing structure for any shelf dimension. According to this invention there is provided a method for securing a shelf to a wall or like supporting structure, comprising the steps of passing the ends of a predetermined length of flexible but inextensible strapping through a tubular clip each end being wrapped around a respective side wall of the clip at least once and drawn tight, securing the clip to the wall by a fastening means and thereafter locating the end of a shelf horizontally in the sling so formed.

This invention also provides an apparatus forming a shelf supporting arrangement and comprising a strap of flexible but substantially inextensible material and an elongate tubular securing member of generally rectangular cross-section having a width sufficient to receive the width of the strap when passed therethrough, the clip being adapted for securement to a support surface.

This invention in a further aspect also relates to a shelf supported by the aforesaid arrangements and the shelf supporting structure being assembled by passing the free ends of the strap through the clip from opposite directions and looping each end around one of the opposed sides to pass back through the clip, the free end then being adjusted to overlie the outer surface of the opposed side after which the loop formed is drawn tight to lock and to form a sling of defined circumference with each end of the strap looped around a respective side of the clip, a screw, nail or other fastening device being passed through the looped band material and the aperture in the clip to fix same and the sling assembly to a wall or other surface, a shelf end being located within the thus secured sling and adjusted to cause the sling to adopt a triangular shape with the shelf horizontal.

The invention thus provides a convenient kit comprising a length of the band material, to be cut to length, and clips which can be made into the support structure according to need.

The band material is preferably a plastics material such as that used for strapping cases or the like.

The clip is preferably formed from a sheet material by a bending operation.

Further and preferred features of the method and apparatus according to this invention are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a method of supporting the end of a shelf,

Figures 2A show various steps in the method of securing the to 2E ends of the strap to a securing member comprising a clip, Figure 3 shows one form of clip securing member, Figure 4 shows the supported shelf applied to surfaces at various angles, and Figure 5 shows various further embodiments of the securing device for the ends of the strap. Referring to Figure 1 the support sling 1 for a shelf end 2 comprises a strap of plastics material 12mm wide and 0.5mm thick which is flexible but substantially inextensible. The strap is cut to an appropriate length and the free ends secured in a clip 3 forming a securing member which has an aperture through which a screw 4 passes to secure same to a wall or other support surface. The ends 1a, lb of the strap are looped around opposed sides of the clip, which is tubular and of rectangular cross-section, and the screw passes also through the layers of the strap forming the loops.

The clip is preferably formed from sheet metal with the sides overlapping, and as shown in Figure 3 the clip has an elongated rectangular cross-section with opposed spaced sides 5 and 6 defining a width sufficient to accommodate the width of strap 1. The clip includes apertures 7 and 8 through respective sides and the side 5 has an overlap seam 9. The thickness of the clip is sufficient to accommodate several layers of the strap. Figure 2 shows how the ends of the strap 1 may be secured in the clip 3 which is shown in longitudinal section in these views. The method is as follows:- a) The length of strap is first determined from a table, and the cut length fed through the clip twice, as in diagram Figure 2a, following direction of the arrow and making a large loop. The end 10 is bent over to be the approximate length of clip. b) The strap is drawn sufficiently tight to trap the turned over end 10 and in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2b. c) The other free end of the strap is subject to the same operation but in an opposite direction as shown in Figures 2c and 2d. d) The straps are then drawn tight. e) Finally both straps are pulled hard so that the sling is tight on the clip. This is most easily done by placing sling over a firm object and pulling hard. A hole is then drilled through the strap in alignment with the hole that is already in the metal clip. The hole can be made also with a hot nail. The shelf may be secured to the strap by staples, and the strap can be pegged to apertured hardboard using a nail or like. The arrangement thus provides a simple and quick method for hanging shelving, yet offering good load bearing capacity.

Figures 4a and 4b show various configurations of a shelf 2 supported by strap 1 against non-vertical support surfaces 11. Figure 4c shows how irregularities 12 in the support surface 11 may be readily accommodated by deflection of the strap.

Figure 5 shows further arrangements for securing the strap ends by means of tubular clip systems. Figure 5a shows a clip 50 similar to Figure 3 but of seamless construction and having an aperture 51 therein to receive a securing nail. Figure 5b shows a clip formed from two channel members 52 and 53 with flanges 54. The members can be placed one on the other to define a rectangular hollow part 55 to receive the strap, the arrangement providing also a channel 56 to accommodate the strap enabling the flanges to lie flush with a fixing surface and be secured by screws through apertures 57.

Another securing method is shown in Figure 5c and 5d which uses a plain clip 60 as illustrated in Figure 5e to secure the strap ends, this thereafter being positioned inside a box-like cleat 58 vith the strap ends passing through slots 59 provided at top and bottom. The side 61 of the cleat is open to allow the clip 6θ and straps to be introduced and the other side has a flange 62 with screw fastener apertures 63. Alternatively the cleat 58 is formed from two parts 64a and 64b which assemble together around the clip 60 and straps. In this case side 61 need not be open.

In Figure 5f a further arrangement uses the clip 60 in conjunction with a support bar 65 over which one strap 66 is passed, this providing a hanging system.

The primary advantage of the flexible material in conjunction with the single fixing is that many irregularities can be compensated for whilst still retaining a level shelf. There is also the advantage that the greater the load placed on the shelf, the more the slings take on the characteristics of a rigid fixing.

Claims

1. A method for securing a shelf to a wall or like supporting structure, which method comprises the steps of passing the ends of a predetermined length of flexible but inextensible strapping through a clip each end being wrapped around a respective opposed side wall of the clip at least once and drawn tight, securing the clip to the wall or like surface by a fastening means and thereafter locating the end of a shelf horizontally in the strapping sling so formed.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the-ends of the strapping have a portion bent back to form a crease to engage over the end of the side wall of the clip, the strapping passing around the clip wall and over said bent back portion to secure same.

3. Means for supporting a shelf or the like comprising a strap of flexible but substantially inextensible material and an elongate tubular securing clip of generally rectangular cross-section having a width sufficient to receive the width of the strap when passed therethrough, the clip being adapted for securement to a support surface.

4. Means for supporting a shelf as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tubular securing member comprises a clip having spaced parallel sides with apertures therein to receive a fixing device, said sides having a width substantially the same as the strap.

5. Means for supporting a shelf according to claim 4» wherein the sides are spaced a distance sufficient to accommodate several thicknesses of the strap.

6. A shelf supporting structure assembled from means of any one of claims 3 to 5, by passing the free ends of the strap through the clip securing member from opposite directions and looping each end around one of the opposed sides to pass back through the clip securing member, the free end then being adjusted to overlie the outer surface of the opposed side after which the loop formed is drawn tight to lock and to form a sling of defined circumference with each end of the strap looped arottnd a respective side of the clip securing member, a fastening device being engaged with the looped strap material and the clip securing member to fix same and the sling assembly to a wall or other surface, a shelf end being located within the thus secured sling and adjusted to cause the sling to adopt a triangular shape with the shelf horizontal.

7. A shelf support structure according to claim 6, wherein the clip securing member engages a fastening device having a housing to receive the clip with slots through which the straps may exit from the housing, the housing having flange means for attachment to a wall or like surface.

8. A shelf supporting structure according to claim 6, wherein the clip securing member comprises two flanged channel members which when brought together define a tubular channel to receive the strap, the flanges serving for attachment to a wall or like surface.

9o A shelf supporting structure as claimed in any preceding claim 6 to 8, wherein the shelf, after adjustment, is secured to the strap by fastening means located at the underside or edges of the shelf.