BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support bracket for a shelf or similar element, where the adjustable support bracket comprises a movable support arm and a mounting part interconnected with the movable support arm, where said mounting part is intended to be fixed to the inclined surface relative to a vertical plane, where said support arm is intended to be releasably fixed in relation to the mounting part by at least one releasable connecting element, whereas said support arm comprises an extending member for supporting the shelf or similar element and a protruding member.

GB173005A discloses an adjustable angle bracket with two identical parts having a limb portion and a strut portion, where the strut portion is carried by the limb portion. The struts are adapted to overlap and to be secured together in an adjusted position by a bolt passing through the slots. The adjustable bracket is suitable for a green house or the like, and does not provide an easy and simple solution for an angle adjustment, as two identical parts need to be secured to the structural member before adjustment of the angle. Adjustment of the angle is complicated, as each of the identical parts may rotate in relation to each other during adjustment. US5452875A discloses a bracket assembly for a wall structure, where the bracket assembly has a first support element and a second bracket element releasably secured to the support element. The support and bracket elements are interconnected by sets of teeth for clamping the support and bracket elements in selected clamped positions. The bracket does only provide an angle adjustment between predetermined positions. Moreover, an angle adjustment can only be done by separation of the interdigitated pair of teeth. DE3504728 discloses an angle-adjustable bracket having a mounting part, which should be fastened on a wall, and an arm arranged to pivot in relation to the mounting part. The arm can be fixed in a number of angle positions in relation to the mounting part. The arm is fixed by means of a number of releasable screws, which extend at equal spacing in relation to one another through preferably equally sized mounting holes in the fitting of the arm. These mounting holes are arranged on at least one or more circular arcs on concentric pitch circles having the same diameters. The angle position of the arm can be adjusted by the turning of this angle, simply by the moving of a screw one mounting hole further in the same direction. The bracket only provides an angle adjustment between predetermined positions. Moreover, when the screw is released, the arm needs to be supported by a person, and that person would need to ensure the alignment of the holes visually before tightening the screw. The general object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support bracket of the above-indicated kind, in which an arbitrary angle adjustment of the support arm relative to the mounting bracket can be obtained.

A further object is to provide a fixation of the adjustable support bracket, where the fixation element is hidden by the mounting part, and where the adjustable support bracket can be released in a simpler, quicker and more effective manner without the fixation element being tampered with.

In view of this object, said protruding member is forming part of a circular arc, and is designed to be displaceable along a surface of said mounting part formed with a complementing arc shape.

In this way, the adjustable support bracket can be adjusted to an arbitrary angle position by the easing of the frictional engagement between the mounting part and the support arm. The support arm is shaped to complement the shape of the mounting part, and due to the mutual relationship between the mounting part and the support arm, the present invention facilitates guidance, whereby a stable displacement is achieved when the support arm is moved in sliding contact with and along the curved circumference of the mounting part. This is an additional advantage as the support arm is translatable along the circumference instead of pivoting in relation to the mounting part. Preferably, the protruding member is forming part of a circular arc, which enables translation and displacement of the support arm along the surface of the mounting part due to the complementing arc shape of the support arm.

In an embodiment, the contact surface of said support arm and said mounting part constitute two concentric circular arcs having approximately the same diameter. Hereby an advantageous configuration may be obtained, as the contact surface between the two parts is enhanced, which furthermore ensures better frictional engagement between the support arm and mounting part. In an embodiment, said mounting part comprises a base part having a circular arc angle of 90-170 degrees and a radius between 35-85 mm, preferably a circular arc angle between 110-130 degrees and a radius between 55-65 mm. Thereby, the structural advantageous configuration may be obtained, as an arc shaped base part facilitates the imaginary pivot point to be moved further away from the circumference of the mounting part. If the arc angle of the mounting part is exactly 180 degrees, the imaginary pivot point would be coincident with the surface of the wall, onto which the mounting part is to be attached. Depending on the dimension of the base part, the arc length or arc angle can be adapted depending on the intended angle adjustment needed. In an embodiment, the protruding member comprises an arc length, which is shorter than the arc length of the base part and where the pivot point of the protruding member is coincident with the circular center of the mounting part. Thereby, the frictional engagement may further be facilitated, by the extension of the arc length of the protruding member. As the protruding member and the mounting part both have the same arc angle, it is the relationship between the arc lengths of the respective base part and protruding member, that determines the possible adjustment angle for the support bracket.

In an embodiment, the protruding member defines an arc length, which is less than half of the arc length of the base part, more preferably an arc length of 50-75 mm. As the protruding member and the mounting part both have the same arc angle, the decreasing of the arc length of the protruding member would increase the possible adjustment angle for the support bracket, as the support arm would be able to translate further distance along the circumference of the mounting bracket. The adjustable support bracket would enable adjustment in an angle spanning the range 0-70 degrees in relation to the mounting surface. In an embodiment, said support arm comprises a side rail disposed on one or both sides of the protruding member. Thereby, a structural advantageous configuration may be obtained, as the side rail provides guidance for the support arm during adjustment of the angle.

In an embodiment, said base part comprises at least one slot extending the length of the base part or protruding member. Thereby, the slot facilitates guidance of the support arm during the angle adjustment of the support bracket. The slot could be offset from the center of the base part or be incorporated along the circumference of the protruding member. The releasable connection can slide in the length of the slot.

In an embodiment, said base part comprises a slot extending through the center of the base part wherein said protruding member comprises at least one connecting hole or groove located on the concave surface of said protruding member. Thereby, the slot facilitates guidance of the support arm during the angle adjustment of the support bracket. The releasable connecting element is anchored in the support arm from inside of the mounting part, and the connecting element can slide in the slot. In an embodiment, said protruding member comprises a slot extending through the center of the protruding member, and the base part comprises at least one connecting hole or groove penetrating the convex surface of said mounting part. Thereby, it is achieved to allow a more direct access to the connecting element during adjustment of the support arm.

In an embodiment, wherein said mounting part comprises at least two anchoring parts disposed at the end of said base part, the anchoring parts protrude either towards or away from each other. Thereby, the anchoring part has an enlarged area for connecting the mounting part to a wall or the like.

In an embodiment, said anchoring part comprises a recess in the center of the anchoring part. Thereby, the mounting part is facilitated with means that allow easy and quick attachment of the support bracket during installation. The recess facilitates a concealment of the mounting fixation element, when the bracket is mounted on the wall or the like. In a preferred embodiment of the adjustable support bracket, the mounting part has an arc angle of approximately 120 degrees, a radius of approximately 60 mm and an arc length of approximately 128 mm. The slot extends the circumference of the base part and defines an arc length of approximately 100 mm. The support arm is fixed to the mounting part by two connecting elements. The support arm comprises an extending member with a length of approximately 300 mm and the protruding member defines an arc length of approximately 60 mm. The adjustable support bracket would enable adjustment in an angle spanning the range 0-66 degrees in relation to the mounting surface.

The mounting part and base part could be manufactured from a variety of material spanning the range of plastic, reinforced plastic and metal depending on the strength and environment in which the adjustable bracket is to be used. A manufacturing process like casting would be suitable for both plastic, reinforced plastic and metal. One could also consider CFC machined parts, where aluminum would be an obvious choice when strength, weight and price are compared.

A method of installing an adjustable support bracket for supporting a shelf or similar element on an inclined surface relative to a vertical plane comprises the following steps of:

- placing the support bracket against the inclined surface,

- determining the intended angle for the support arm,

- anchoring the fixation element(s) in the intended position on the inclined surface,

- interlocking the support arm in relation to the mounting part the by fastening of the connecting element.

- sliding the mounting part over the fixation element(s).

A method of installing an adjustable support bracket, where the shelf is connected to the support arm by fastening means inserted through the mounting holes. REFERENCE NUMBERS

List of reference numbers that are used in the detailed description of the invention.

Adjustable support bracket 1

Support arm 2

Protruding member 20

Extending member 21

Side rail 22

Mounting hole 23

Reinforcement strut 24

Connecting hole 25

Slot 26

Slot 27

Mounting part 3

Slot 30

Base part 31

Anchoring part 32

Recess 33

Connecting element 4

Fixation element 5

The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of examples of embodiment with reference to the schematic drawings. Figure 1 shows the adjustable support bracket mounted on an inclined surface.

Figure 2 shows the adjustable support bracket in a first embodiment.

Figure 3 shows the adjustable support bracket in a first embodiment, where the connecting elements are located in the internal space of the mounting part.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the adjustable support bracket in a first embodiment.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment where the slot is disposed on the front of the support arm. Figure 6 shows a third embodiment where the slot is disposed on the side of the support arm.

In figure 1 , an adjustable support bracket 1 is depicted in an installation position. The adjustable bracket can be mounted on an inclined surface, where the support bracket is used for supporting a shelf 6 or similar element. The adjustable support bracket 1 can be adjusted to match the inclination angle of the surface. The adjustable bracket 1 comprises a support arm 2 and a mounting part 3, which is intended to be fixed to the inclined surface relative to a vertical plane.

In figure 1 only one adjustable support bracket is shown for the sake of simplicity, but depending on the purpose two or more support brackets could be used. Each adjustable support bracket is fixed in relation to the wall, as explained in more detail in the following description.

Figure 2 shows the adjustable support bracket 1 comprising a support arm 2 and a mounting part 3 interconnected with the movable support arm 2. The mounting part 3 is intended to be fixed to an inclined surface. The support arm 2 is intended to be releasably fixed in relation to the mounting part 3 by connecting means not shown in figure 2. During installation or readjustment of the angle, the connecting means between the support arm 2 and the mounting part 3 are eased, hereby allowing a guided movement of the support arm 2 in relation to the mounting part 3. One way of obtaining this guided movement is to provide guidance means in the form of a slot or groove in either the support arm 2 or the mounting part 3 or a combination hereof.

In figure 2, the support arm 2 comprises a protruding member 20 and an extending member 21 for supporting the shelf or similar element. Preferably, the protruding member 20 comprises an arc shape and extends in relation to the longitudinal direction of the extending member 21. As depicted, the protruding member 20 is forming part of a circular arc, which enables translation and displacement of the support arm 2 along the surface of the mounting part 3 due to the complementing arc shape of the support arm 2.

For enhancement of the strength of the supporting arm 2, a reinforcement strut 24 can be disposed in the transition zone between the protruding member 20 and the extending member 21. The mounting part 3 comprises a base part 31 with an arc shape extending the length of the base part 31. The base part 31 has a shape forming part of a circular arc.

In this way, the adjustable support bracket 1 can be adjusted to an arbitrary angle position by the easing of the frictional engagement between the mounting part 3 and the support arm 2. The support arm 2 has a shape that complements the outer surface of the base part 31 , and due to the mutual relationship between the mounting part 3 and the support arm 2, the present invention facilitates guidance, whereby a stable displacement is achieved when the support arm 2 is moved along the curved circumference of the mounting part 3. This is an additional advantage, as the support arm 2 is translatable along the circumference instead of pivoting in relation to the mounting part 3.

In a first embodiment, the mounting part 3 has one anchoring part 32 enabling the mounting part 3 to be attached to a wall or the like. In an embodiment not shown, the anchoring part 32 can have a thoroughgoing hole in the base part 31. As depicted in figure 3, the anchoring part 32 comprises a recess 33 in the center of the anchoring part 32. The recess 33 enables concealment of the mounting fixation element 5, where the adjustable support bracket 1 is mounted on the wall or the like. The fixation element could be a wood screw, self-tapping screw or the like.

The base part (31) and the protruding member 20 are shaped to complement one another. The support arm 2 is intended to be releasably interconnected to the mounting part 3 by means of a connecting element 4 such as, for example, screws. The connecting elements 4 are inserted in the slot 30 of the base part 31 and each connecting element is secured in the connecting hole 25 or groove 25 located on the concave surface of the protruding member 20 by the use of a screwdriver. The connecting hole 25 could be a threaded hole depending of the type of connecting element used. It is optional whether the connecting holes extend through the protruding member 20. The connecting elements 4 ensure a frictional interlocking between the base part 31 and protruding member 21. The releasable connecting elements 4 are anchored in the support arm from inside of the mounting part 3 and the connecting elements 4 can slide in the slot 30. The combination of the slot 30 in the base part 31 and the connection elements 4 facilitates guidance of the support arm 2 with respect to the mounting part 3. During the angle adjustment of the support bracket, the guidance features enable that the support arm 2 can be fixed in an arbitrary number of angle positions with respect to the mounting part 3. In figure 3, the base part 31 comprises a shape with a cross section deviating from a half circle, meaning an arc angle less than 180 degrees. The base part 31 comprises an arc angle of approximately 120 degrees; therefore, the pivot point would not coincident with the wall surface onto which the mounting part is to be attached. The protruding member 20 defines an arc shape extending, preferably in an angle of 20-90 degrees, in relation to the longitudinal direction of the extending member 21. Thereby, the frictional engagement may further be facilitated, by the extension of the arc length of the protruding member 20. As the protruding member 20 and the mounting part 3 both have the same arc angle, it is the relationship between the arc length of the respective base part 31 and protruding member 20, that determines the possible adjustment angle for the support bracket. It should be noted, that the slot 30 extends between the anchoring parts 32 of said base part 31 , and the length of the slot is therefore decisive for the angle adjustment of the support arm 2, meaning a shorter slot would allow a smaller angle adjustment of the support arm and vice versa.

The support arm 2 comprises a side rail 22 disposed on one or both sides of the protruding member. The side rail 22 provides guidance for the support arm during adjustment of the angle. In figure 4, the support arm 2 is depicted with two side rails 22. By the providing of two side rails instead of one, rotation of the support arm can be avoided. The combination of two side rails 22 and a slot 30 renders a double guidance of the support arm 2 during angle adjustment. In the first embodiment shown in figure 3 and 4, the mounting part 3 comprises a slot 30 extending the length of the base part 31. The support arm 2 comprises an extending arm 21 , which comprises three mounting holes 23 enabling fastening of a shelf or similar element to the support, whereby the fastening means could be screws, which would be inserted through the mounting holes 23. The mounting part 3 can have two anchoring parts 32 enabling the mounting part 3 to be attached to a wall. It is preferred that each mounting part 3 comprises two anchoring parts 32 with a recess 33 in the center of the anchoring part. This facilitates easy and quick attachment of the support bracket during installation. The slot 30 almost extends the full length between the anchoring parts 32.

In a second embodiment, shown in figure 5, the protruding member 20 comprises a slot 26 extending through the center of the protruding member 20, and the base part 31 comprises at least one threaded connecting hole or groove penetrating the convex surface of said mounting part. In this way, a more direct access would be achieved to the connecting element 4 during adjustment of the support arm 2.

In a third embodiment, shown in figure 6, the protruding member 20 comprises a slot 27 extending along the circumference of the protruding member, preferably through the side rail. In this way, a more direct access would be achieved to the connecting element 4 during adjustment of the support arm 2.

The mounting part 3 shown in figures 5 and 6 has one anchoring part 32 with a recess 33, whereby only one fixation element 5 is needed for the adjustable support bracket 1 , which would result in an even shorter installation time. The reinforcement strut 24 could comprise three struts or be one uniform element disposed in the transition zone between the protruding member 20 and the extending member 21

As depicted in figures 2-6, the mounting part 3 could have anchoring parts 32 disposed at the end of said base part 31 , where the anchoring part 32 protrudes either towards or away from the arc center. By the placing of two anchoring parts, a more stable and secure connection can be obtained between the mounting part and the wall or the like.

A method of installing the adjustable support bracket 1 on an inclined surface relative to a vertical plane, which comprises the following steps of:

- placing the support bracket 1 against the inclined surface,

- determining the intended angle for the support arm 2,

- anchoring the fixation elements 5 in the intended position on the inclined surface,

- interlocking the support arm 2 in relation to the mounting part 3 by fastening the connecting element 4.

- sliding the mounting part (3) over the fixation elements 5. Finally, the shelf or similar element is connected to the support arms 2 by fastening means inserted through the mounting holes 23. When the angle for the support arm 2 is determined, it is obvious that in most situations, the support arm 2 would be positioned perpendicularly to the vertical plane It is however within the scope of the invention to choose an angle deviating from perpendicular to the vertical plane.