Wall-Mountable Bracket for Various Shelf Configurations

Abstract

A wall-mountable bracket described herein can be used, for example, with various wall mounts to facilitate implementation of various shelf configurations. The wall-mountable bracket can include a mounting arm that can be used to attach the wall-mountable bracket to a structure. The wall-mountable bracket can also include a support arm that extends from the mounting arm and extends away from the structure when the wall-mountable bracket is attached to the structure. The support arm can include one or more openings that can receive one or more items to allow the wall-mountable bracket to support the various items. For example, the support arm can include an opening that includes a rounded surface that can receive and support one or more tubes or rods having circular cross-section or the support arm can include an opening that includes a substantially flat surface that can receive and support a horizontally arranged piece of lumber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wall-mountable support bracket comprising:
 a mounting arm adapted to be mounted to a wall; and   at least one shelf-support arm extending from the mounting arm so that, when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall, the at least one shelf-support arm extends in a direction away from the wall, wherein the at least one shelf-support arm includes at least one opening configured with:
 rounded surfaces that are adapted to engage and support one or more tubes or rods of a circular cross-section; and 
 substantially flat surfaces adapted to engage and support at least one horizontally arranged piece of dimensional lumber. 
   
     
     
         2 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the rounded surfaces have a radius of curvature in a range from about 0.5 inch to about one inch. 
     
     
         3 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the rounded surfaces having a radius of curvature in a range from about 0.6 inch to about 0.75 inch. 
     
     
         4 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein said wall-mountable support bracket includes at least two of said at least one shelf-support arm. 
     
     
         5 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 4 , wherein said two of said at least one shelf-support arm are disposed at opposite ends of the mounting arm. 
     
     
         6 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting arm comprises:
 a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of a cleat;   a cleat-engaging surface in the recess adapted to engage the cleat and arranged so that gravity resists removal of the mounting arm from the cleat when the cleat-engaging surface bears against the cleat; and   at least one fastener hole adapted to receive a fastener that extends through the mounting arm into the wall.   
     
     
         7 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 6 , wherein the recess is configured to receive the cleat deeply enough to allow the mounting arm to bear against the wall when the cleat-engaging surface bears against the cleat. 
     
     
         8 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 6 , wherein the recess is configured to receive a cleat, and wherein the cleat has a cross-section that resembles the letter “K.” 
     
     
         9 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one shelf-support arm comprises a base support portion that extends in a direction away from the wall when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall and a distal angled portion that extends in a direction upwardly and away from the wall when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall, wherein the distal angled portion includes a slot adapted to receive a strap and a through-hole. 
     
     
         10 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 9 , wherein the slot is adapted to receive a 1.5-inch wide strap and the through-hole has a width of at least 0.5 inch. 
     
     
         11 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting arm has a wall-facing surface adapted to bear against a wall when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall, wherein the wall-facing surface faces away from a direction that the at least one shelf-support arm extends toward, and wherein at least one of the rounded surfaces of the at least one shelf-support arm has a center of curvature located more than 10 inches from the wall-facing surface. 
     
     
         12 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting arm has a wall-facing surface adapted to bear against a wall when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall, wherein the wall-facing surface faces away from a direction that the at least one shelf-support arm extends toward, and wherein at least one of the rounded surfaces of the at least one shelf-support arm has a center of curvature located more than 10 inches from the wall-facing surface to allow any of said tubes or rods bearing against the at least one rounded surface to be supported at a sufficient distance from the wall-facing surface such that an item can be hung from said any of said tubes or rods at a distance from the wall-facing surface that prevents interference between the wall and the item. 
     
     
         13 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening is substantially rectangular except at spaced apart locations where the rounded surfaces are located. 
     
     
         14 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening is configured so that, when the at least one opening receives the horizontally arranged piece of dimensional lumber, the substantially flat surfaces prevent the horizontally arranged piece of dimensional lumber from moving more than ⅛ inch up or down and from moving ⅛ in a horizontal direction along the length of the at least one shelf-support arm. 
     
     
         15 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening is configured so that, when the at least one opening receives the one or more tubes or rods in a horizontal orientation, the rounded surfaces prevent the one or more tubs or rods from moving more than ⅛ inch up or down and from moving ⅛ in a horizontal direction along the length of the at least one shelf-support arm. 
     
     
         16 . A wall-mountable support bracket comprising:
 a mounting arm adapted to be mounted to a wall, wherein the mounting arm includes:
 a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of a cleat; 
 a cleat-engaging surface in the recess adapted to engage the cleat and arranged so that gravity resists removal of the mounting arm from the cleat when the cleat-engaging surface bears against the cleat; and 
 at least one fastener hole adapted to receive a fastener that extends through the mounting arm into the wall; and 
   at least one shelf-support arm extending from the mounting arm so that, when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall, the at least one shelf-support arm extends in a direction away from the wall.   
     
     
         17 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one shelf-support arm includes at least one of a slot adapted to receive a 1.5-inch wide strap and a through-hole having a width of at least 0.5 inch, and wherein the same at least one shelf-support arm or another of the at least one shelf-support arm includes at least one opening configured with at least one of:
 rounded surfaces that are adapted to engage and support one or more tubes or rods of circular cross-section; and   substantially flat surfaces adapted to engage and support at least one horizontally arranged piece of dimensional lumber.   
     
     
         18 . A wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 16 , wherein the recess is configured to receive the cleat deeply enough to allow the mounting arm to bear against the wall when the cleat-engaging surface bears against the cleat. 
     
     
         19 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 16 , wherein the recess is configured to receive a cleat and wherein the cleat has a cross-section that resembles the letter “K.” 
     
     
         20 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one shelf-support arm comprises:
 a base support portion that extends in a direction away from the wall when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall; and   a distal angled portion that extends in a direction upwardly and away from the wall when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall.   
     
     
         21 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 20 , wherein the at least one shelf-support arm includes at least one opening configured with at least one of:
 rounded surfaces that are adapted to engage and support one or more tubes or rods of circular cross-section; and   substantially flat surfaces adapted to engage and support at least one horizontally arranged piece of dimensional lumber.   
     
     
         22 . A wall-mountable support bracket comprising:
 a mounting arm adapted to be mounted to a wall; and   at least one shelf-support arm extending from the mounting arm so that, when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall, the at least one shelf-support arm extends in a direction away from the wall, wherein the at least one shelf-support arm comprises:
 a slot; and 
 a through-hole, and 
 wherein the same at least one shelf-support arm or another of the at least one shelf-support arm includes at least one opening configured with at least one of:
 rounded surfaces that are adapted to engage and support one or more tubes or rods of circular cross-section; and 
 substantially flat surfaces adapted to engage and support at least one horizontally arranged piece of dimensional lumber. 
 
   
     
     
         23 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 22 , wherein the at least one opening is substantially rectangular except at spaced apart locations where the rounded surfaces are located. 
     
     
         24 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 22 , wherein the at least one opening is configured so that, when the at least one opening receives the horizontally arranged piece of dimensional lumber, the substantially flat surfaces prevent the horizontally arranged piece of dimensional lumber from moving more than ⅛ inch up or down and from moving ⅛ in a horizontal direction along the length of the at least one shelf-support arm. 
     
     
         25 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 22 , wherein the at least one opening is configured so that, when the at least one opening receives the one or more tubes or rods in a horizontal orientation, the rounded surfaces prevent the one or more tubs or rods from moving more than ⅛ inch up or down and from moving ⅛ in a horizontal direction along the length of the at least one shelf-support arm. 
     
     
         26 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 22 , wherein the slot is adapted to receive a 1.5-inch wide strap and the through-hole has a width of at least 0.5 inch. 
     
     
         27 . A wall-mountable support bracket comprising:
 a mounting arm adapted to be mounted to a wall and having a wall-facing surface adapted to bear against the wall when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall; and   at least one shelf-support arm extending from the mounting arm, wherein the at least one shelf-support arm comprises:
 a base support portion that extends in a direction away from the wall when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall; and 
 a distal angled portion that extends in a direction upwardly and away from the wall when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall, wherein the at least one shelf-support arm includes at least one opening configured with at least one of:
 rounded surfaces that are adapted to engage and support one or more tubes or rods of circular cross-section; and 
 substantially flat surfaces adapted to engage and support at least one horizontally arranged piece of dimensional lumber. 
 
   
     
     
         28 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 27 , wherein the at least one shelf-support arm is configured so that, when the at least one opening receives a plurality of the one or more tubes or rods or a plurality of the one or more horizontally arranged pieces of lumber, the arrangement of the tubes or rods and/or lumber with respect to the wall defines a bin volume of sufficient size to hold an NBA basketball. 
     
     
         29 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 27 , wherein at least one of the rounded surfaces of the at least one shelf-support arm has a center of curvature located more than 10 inches from the wall-facing surface. 
     
     
         30 . The wall-mountable support bracket according to  claim 27 , wherein at least one of the rounded surfaces of the at least one shelf-support arm has a center of curvature located more than 10 inches from the wall-facing surface to allow any of said tubes or rods bearing against the at least one rounded surface to be supported at a sufficient distance from the wall-facing surface such that an item can be hung from said any of said tubes or rods at a distance from the wall-facing surface that prevents interference between the wall and the item. 
     
     
         31 . A shelf support system comprising at least two wall-mountable support brackets, each support bracket comprising:
 a mounting arm adapted to be mounted to a wall; and   at least one shelf-support arm extending from the mounting arm so that when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall, the at least one shelf-support arm extends in a direction away from the wall, wherein the at least one shelf-support arm includes at least one opening configured with at least one of:
 rounded surfaces that are adapted to engage and support one or more tubes or rods of circular cross-section; and 
 substantially flat surfaces adapted to engage and support at least one horizontally arranged piece of dimensional lumber. 
   
     
     
         32 . The shelf support system according to  claim 31 , wherein the rounded surfaces have a radius of curvature in a range from about 1 inch to about 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         33 . The shelf support system according to  claim 31 , wherein the rounded surfaces having a radius of curvature in a range from about 1.1 inches to about 1.4 inches. 
     
     
         34 . The shelf support system according to  claim 31 , wherein said bracket includes at least two of said at least one shelf-support arm. 
     
     
         35 . The shelf support system according to  claim 34 , wherein said two of said at least one shelf-support arm are disposed at opposite ends of the mounting arm. 
     
     
         36 . The shelf support system according to  claim 31 , wherein the mounting arm includes:
 a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of a cleat;   a cleat-engaging surface in the recess adapted to engage the cleat and arranged so that gravity resists removal of the mounting arm from the cleat when the cleat-engaging surface bears against the cleat; and   at least one fastener hole adapted to receive a fastener that extends through the mounting arm into the wall.   
     
     
         37 . The shelf support system according to  claim 36 , wherein the recess is configured to receive the cleat deeply enough to allow the mounting arm to bear against the wall when the cleat-engaging surface bears against the cleat. 
     
     
         38 . The shelf support system according to  claim 36 , further comprising an elongated cleat that is mountable to a wall and adapted to support each wall-mountable support bracket at any selectively chosen location along the length of the elongated cleat. 
     
     
         39 . The shelf support system according to  claim 38 , wherein the elongated cleat has a cross-section that resembles the letter “K.” 
     
     
         40 . The shelf support system according to  claim 31 , wherein the at least one shelf-support arm of each wall-mountable bracket includes a base support portion that extends in a direction away from the wall when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall, and a distal angled portion that extends in a direction upwardly and away from the wall when the mounting arm is mounted to the wall, wherein the distal angled portion includes a slot adapted to receive a 1.5 inch wide strap, and a through-hole having a width of at least 0.5 inch. 
     
     
         41 . The shelf support system according to  claim 31 , wherein the mounting arm of each wall-mountable bracket has a wall-facing surface adapted to bear against a wall when the mounting arm is mounted to a wall, wherein each wall-facing surface faces away from the at least one shelf-support arm, and wherein at least one of the rounded surfaces of the at least one shelf-support arm has a center of curvature located more than 10 inches from the wall-facing surface. 
     
     
         42 . The shelf-support system according to  claim 31 , wherein the mounting arm of each wall-mountable bracket has a wall-facing surface adapted to bear against a wall when the mounting arm is mounted to a wall, wherein each wall-facing surface faces away from the at least one shelf-support arm, and wherein at least one of the rounded surfaces of the at least one shelf-support arm has a center of curvature located more than 10 inches from the wall-facing surface to allow any of said tubes or rods bearing against the at least one rounded surface to be supported at a sufficient distance from the wall-facing surface such that an item can be hung from said any of said tubes or rods at a distance from the wall-facing surface that prevents interference between the wall and the item. 
     
     
         43 . The shelf support system according to  claim 31 , wherein the at least one opening of each shelf-support arm is substantially rectangular except at spaced apart locations where the rounded surfaces are located. 
     
     
         44 . The shelf support system according to  claim 31 , wherein the at least one opening of each shelf-support arm is configured so that, when the at least one opening receives the horizontally arranged piece of dimensional lumber, the substantially flat surfaces prevent the horizontally arranged piece of dimensional lumber from moving more than ⅛ inch up or down and from moving ⅛ in a horizontal direction along the length of the at least one shelf-support arm. 
     
     
         45 . The shelf support system according to  claim 31 , wherein the at least one opening of each shelf-support arm is configured so that, when the at least one opening receives the one or more tubes or rods in a horizontal orientation, the rounded surfaces prevent the one or more tubs or rods from moving more than ⅛ inch up or down and from moving ⅛ in a horizontal direction along the length of the at least one shelf-support arm.