H-shaped brackets for use with closet systems

Abstract

An H-shaped bracket for use with a closet system includes an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member spaced from the upper horizontal member, and a vertical member extending between and connecting the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member. The vertical member, the upper horizontal member, and the lower horizontal member define a first opening configured to engage a first panel therein and a second opening configured to engage a second panel therein. The H-shaped bracket includes at least one biasing member disposed in the second opening and configured to bias the second panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An H-shaped bracket for use with a closet system, the H-shaped bracket comprising:
 an upper horizontal member;   a lower horizontal member spaced from the upper horizontal member;   a vertical member extending between and connecting the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member, the vertical member, the upper horizontal member, and the lower horizontal member defining a first opening configured to engage a first panel therein and a second opening configured to engage a second panel therein; and   at least one biasing member disposed in the second opening and configured to bias the second panel.   
     
     
         2 . The H-shaped bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical member includes a first surface at least partially defining the first opening and a second surface, opposite the first surface, at least partially defining the second opening. 
     
     
         3 . The H-shaped bracket of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one biasing member extends from the second surface into the second opening and is configured to bias the second panel away from the vertical member. 
     
     
         4 . The H-shaped bracket of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one biasing member is integrally formed with the vertical member and includes an attached end coupled to the vertical member at the second surface and a detached end spaced from the attached end. 
     
     
         5 . The H-shaped bracket of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one biasing member extends transverse to the second surface and is configured to move about the attached end. 
     
     
         6 . The H-shaped bracket of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one biasing member forms an angle between the detached end and the second surface that is less than or equal to 45° in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         7 . The H-shaped bracket of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one biasing member has a planar configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The H-shaped bracket of  claim 4 , wherein the vertical member defines at least one aperture extending between the first surface and the second surface and configured to allow the at least one biasing member to move therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The H-shaped bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical member include at least one screw hole extending therethrough and configured to allow a connection to the first panel with a fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The H-shaped bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the H-shaped bracket extends between a first end and a second end, opposite the first end, the H-shaped bracket further comprising an end member at the first end of the H-shaped bracket, extending between the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member, and extending outward from the vertical member across the second opening. 
     
     
         11 . The H-shaped bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the upper horizontal member extends parallel to the lower horizontal member. 
     
     
         12 . The H-shaped bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical member bisects each of the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member. 
     
     
         13 . A closet system comprising:
 a first panel;   a second panel; and   an H-shaped bracket connecting the first panel and the second panel, the H-shaped bracket comprising:
 an upper horizontal member; 
 a lower horizontal member spaced from the upper horizontal member; 
 a vertical member extending between and connecting the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member, the vertical member, the upper horizontal member, and the lower horizontal member defining a first opening engaging the first panel therein and a second opening engaging the second panel therein; and 
 at least one biasing member disposed in the second opening and biasing the second panel. 
   
     
     
         14 . The closet system of  claim 13 , wherein the H-shaped bracket extends between a first end and a second end, opposite the first end, the H-shaped bracket further comprising an end member at the first end of the H-shaped bracket, extending between the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member, and extending outward from the vertical member across the second opening, the end member covering a portion of the second panel disposed within the second opening. 
     
     
         15 . The closet system of  claim 13 , wherein the upper horizontal member extends parallel to the lower horizontal member, disposing the first panel and the second panel in a coplanar configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The closet system of  claim 13 , wherein the vertical member includes a first surface at least partially defining the first opening and a second surface, opposite the first surface, at least partially defining the second opening. 
     
     
         17 . The closet system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one biasing member extends from the second surface into the second opening and is configured to bias the second panel away from the vertical member. 
     
     
         18 . The closet system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one biasing member is integrally formed with the vertical member and includes an attached end coupled to the vertical member at the second surface and a detached end spaced from the attached end. 
     
     
         19 . The closet system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one biasing member extends transverse to the second surface and is configured to move about the attached end. 
     
     
         20 . An H-shaped bracket for use with a closet system, the H-shaped bracket comprising:
 an upper horizontal member;   a lower horizontal member spaced from the upper horizontal member, the upper horizontal member extending parallel to the lower horizontal member;   a vertical member extending between and connecting the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member, the vertical member bisecting each of the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member, the vertical member including:
 a first surface at least partially defining a first opening with the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member, the first opening configured to engage a first panel therein; and 
 a second surface, opposite the first surface, at least partially defining a second opening with the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member, the second opening configured to engage a second panel therein; and 
   at least one biasing member disposed in the second opening and configured to bias the second panel away from the vertical member, the at least one biasing member integrally formed with the vertical member and including an attached end coupled to the vertical member at the second surface and a detached end spaced from the attached end, the at least one biasing member extending transverse to the second surface and forming an angle between the detached end and the second surface that is less than or equal to 45° in a relaxed state and configured to move about the attached end.