Bracket For Surface Mounting

Abstract

A bracket for mounting objects to a wall includes a base defining mounting holes for fasteners. An arm extends from the base and has a top, a bottom and a maximum width at the interconnection with the base. The mounting holes includes at least two that are spaced from another by a distance greater than a maximum width of the arm so that one of the mounting holes is outside the arm on one side of the arm and another of the mounting holes is outside the arm on the other side of the arm. At least a portion of the mounting holes is located above the top of the arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for mounting a curtain rod, the apparatus comprising:
 a rod holder including a receptacle for receiving a rod;   a base portion of the rod holder for being positioned against a surface, the base portion configured to extend in a first direction along the surface;   an arm portion of the rod holder extending away from the base portion in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the arm portion having an upper surface and a lower surface;   a mount configured to be connected to the rod holder, the mount including at least one opening configured to receive at least one fastener for securing the mount and rod holder connected thereto to the surface; and   a support of the mount configured to contact the lower surface of the arm portion of the rod holder spaced from the base portion and resist downward deflection of the arm portion with the rod received in the receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one opening of the mount is level with or above the upper surface of the arm portion of the rod holder. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the arm portion includes lateral side surfaces extending intermediate the upper and lower surfaces thereof; and
 wherein the at least one opening of the mount includes at least two openings laterally outward from the lateral side surfaces of the arm portion of the rod holder. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the mount includes at least two tabs extending away from the mount and each of the at least two tabs defining at least one of the at least two openings. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rod holder and the mount are separate components. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle includes a fitting for supporting a rod, the fitting includes ends spaced apart less than a diameter of a rod for maintaining a rod in the receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . A bracket comprising:
 a base defining at least two mounting holes that receive fasteners for mounting the bracket to a structure;   an arm extending from the base and having a top, a bottom and a maximum width at the interconnection with the base;   the at least two mounting holes being spaced from another by a distance greater than the maximum width of the arm so that one of the at least two mounting holes is outside the arm on one side of the arm and one of the at least two mounting holes is outside the arm on the other side of the arm; and   at least a portion of the at least two mounting holes being located above the top of the arm.   
     
     
         8 . The bracket of  claim 7  wherein the base includes at least two tabs extending away from the base and each of the at least two tabs defining at least one of the at least two mounting holes. 
     
     
         9 . The bracket of  claim 7  wherein the predetermined width of the arm extends in a horizontal direction and the base includes an extension that engages the bottom of the arm. 
     
     
         10 . The bracket of  claim 7  wherein the predetermined width of the arm extends in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         11 . The bracket of  claim 10  wherein the arm includes an angled portion extending from the base. 
     
     
         12 . The bracket of  claim 7  wherein the base and arm are separate components. 
     
     
         13 . The bracket of  claim 7  further comprising a first cradle for supporting a rod at an end of arm distal from the base. 
     
     
         14 . The bracket of  claim 13  wherein the first cradle includes a fitting for supporting a rod and the fitting includes ends spaced apart less than a diameter of a rod for maintaining a rod in the first cradle. 
     
     
         15 . The bracket of  claim 7  wherein the arm includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, and the distal portion and the proximal portion are adjustable relative to one another to adjust a length of the arm. 
     
     
         16 . The bracket of  claim 7  wherein the base includes a Y-shaped portion spacing the at least two mounting holes. 
     
     
         17 . The bracket of  claim 7  wherein the base includes a T-shaped portion spacing the at least two mounting holes. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for mounting a curtain rod, the apparatus comprising:
 a base for being positioned against a surface;   a receptacle for receiving a curtain rod;   an arm connecting the base and the receptacle;   a mounting portion of the base having at least one opening level with or above the arm, the at least one opening configured to receive at least one fastener extending through the at least one opening normal to the surface to mount the base to the surface;   a lower portion of the base configured to press against the surface with the curtain rod in the receptacle; and   a spacer portion of the base vertically separating the mounting portion and the lower portion to create a moment arm for the reaction force from the at least one fastener to counteract the moment created by the curtain rod in the receptacle.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the arm includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and lateral side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces; and
 wherein the at least one opening of the mounting portion includes a pair of openings laterally outward from the lateral side surfaces of the arm. 
 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the lower portion of the base extends below the arm.