H-SHAPED BRACKETS FOR USE WITH CLOSET SYSTEMS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/694,447, filed Sep. 13, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification generally relates to closet systems and, more specifically, an H-shaped bracket for connecting panels in a closet system.

BACKGROUND

Closet systems offer storage solutions in many households or other settings. Often, the closet systems are built with many sections or panels connected together to form a cohesive unit. However, connecting these sections can be challenge, especially when maintaining a sturdy, durable connection that keeps aesthetically pleasing clean, straight lines. This is particularly difficult because the walls, on which sections and panels are mounted, are often uneven or crooked. Traditional brackets screw into a section of the closet, creating a rigid connection, not allowing the closet system to adapt to uneven or crooked walls.

Accordingly, a need exists for an H-shaped bracket that provides stability and support to the connected panels while ensuring a flexibility that allows closet sections to be installed at desired angles.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an H-shaped bracket for use with a closet system, the bracket 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.

In another aspect, a closet system includes a first panel, a second panel, and an H-shaped bracket connecting the first panel and the second panel. The H-shaped bracket 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 engaging the first panel therein and a second opening engaging the second panel therein. The H-shaped bracket includes at least one biasing member disposed in the second opening and biasing the second panel.

In yet another aspect, an H-shaped bracket for use with a closet system includes an upper horizontal member and a lower horizontal member spaced from the upper horizontal member. The upper horizontal member extends parallel to the lower horizontal member. The H-shaped bracket includes a vertical member extending between and connecting the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member. The vertical member bisects each of the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member. The vertical member includes a first surface at least partially defining a first opening with the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member. The first opening is configured to engage a first panel therein. The vertical member includes 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 is 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 away from the vertical member. 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. The at least one biasing member extends transverse to the second surface and forms 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.

These and additional features provided by the aspects described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of an H-shaped bracket, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts another perspective view of the H-shaped bracket of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a perspective view of a closet system, including the H-shaped bracket of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4 schematically depicts a cross-section view of a portion of the closet system of FIG. 3, showing a biasing member of the H-shaped bracket in a relaxed state, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and

FIG. 5 schematically depicts a cross-section view of a portion of the closet system of FIG. 3, showing the biasing member of the H-shaped bracket in a biasing state, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein are directed to an H-shaped bracket for use with a closet system. The H-shaped bracket is configured to apply pressure against a panel, while maintaining a stable connection between the two panels to ensure properly fitted panels with uneven or crooked surfaces and lines. The H-shaped bracket includes an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member, and a vertical member connecting the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member at a generally central location. Located on the vertical member is at least one biasing member configured to bias against panels inserted between the upper horizontal member and lower horizontal member.

Previous brackets have screwed into a section of the closet, creating a rigid connection that does not allow the closet system to adapt to uneven or crooked walls. The embodiments described herein provide the H-shaped bracket with the at least one biasing member that biases the panel, which facilitates a stable, secure connection between adjacent panels with uneven or crooked surfaces.

Various embodiments of the H-shaped bracket and a closet system including the H-shaped bracket are described in more detail herein. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, perspective views of the H-shaped bracket 100 are illustrated according to one or more embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, the H-shaped bracket 100 includes an upper horizontal member 138, a lower horizontal member 140 spaced from the upper horizontal member 138, and a vertical member 130 extending between and connecting the upper horizontal member 138 and the lower horizontal member 140. In some embodiments, the upper horizontal member 138 extends parallel to the lower horizontal member 140. However, the upper horizontal member 138 and the lower horizontal member 140 may be positioned relative to one another at any suitable angle. In some embodiments, the vertical member 130 bisects each of the upper horizontal member 138 and the lower horizontal member 140 such that the vertical member 130 is positioned at a generally central location. However, the vertical member 130 may be positioned at any suitable location relative to the upper horizontal member 138 and the lower horizontal member 140. The vertical member 130 includes a first surface 132 and an opposite second surface 134.

The H-shaped bracket 100 further includes a first end 122 and a second end 124, opposite the first end 122. The vertical member 130, the upper horizontal member 138, and the lower horizontal member 140 define a first opening 144. In some embodiments, the first opening 144 is located between the upper horizontal member 138 and lower horizontal member 140 and extends outward from the first surface 132 of the vertical member 130, such that the first surface 132 at least partially defines the first opening 144. The vertical member 130, the upper horizontal member 138, and the lower horizontal member 140 define a second opening 142. In some embodiments, the second opening 142 is located between the upper horizontal member 138 and lower horizontal member 140 and extends outward from the second surface 134 of the vertical member 130, such that the second surface 134 at least partially defines the second opening 142. The first opening 144 and the second opening 142 extend from the first end 122 to the second end 124 of the H-shaped bracket 100.

In some embodiments, the H-shaped bracket 100 further includes an end member 136 at the first end 122 of the H-shaped bracket 100, extending between the upper horizontal member 138 and the lower horizontal member 140, and extending outward from the vertical member 130 across the second opening 134. In some embodiments, the H-shaped bracket 100 is made from any durable material such as metal or plastic as to allow the H-shaped bracket to withstand weight and pressure of connected panels.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, at least one biasing member 110 is disposed in the second opening 142. The at least one biasing member 110 may extend from the second surface 134 into the second opening 142. In some embodiments, the at least one biasing member 110 is integrally formed with the vertical member 130 of the H-shaped bracket 100. In some embodiments, the at least one biasing member 100 may be a spring or other member that applies pressure outwardly from the second surface 134 of the vertical member. In some embodiments, the at least one biasing member 110 includes an attached end 112 and a detached end 114 spaced from the attached end 112. The attached end 112 is coupled to the vertical member 130 at the second surface 134. The detached end 114 extends outwardly from the vertical member 130 and towards the second opening 142. In some embodiments, the attached end 112 of the at least one biasing member 110 is the only portion of the at least one biasing member 110 that is connected to the vertical member 130 such that the at least one biasing member 110 may move relative to the vertical member 130.

In some embodiments, the at least one biasing member 110 extends transverse to the second surface 134 and is configured move about the attached end 112, such as by deflection about the attached end 112. The at least one biasing member 110 may have a planar configuration, with the at least one biasing member 110 shaped as a flat rectangular prism. However, the at least one biasing member 110 may have any suitable shape and configuration.

In some embodiments, the at least one biasing member 110 forms an angle X between the detached end 114 and the second surface 134 that is less than or equal to 45° in a relaxed state (see FIG. 4). The relaxed state of the at least one biasing member 110 refers to the positioning of the at least one biasing member 110 relative to the vertical member 130 absent the application of force to the at least one biasing member 110. In some embodiments, the angle X is less than or equal to 30° in the relaxed state. In some embodiments, the angle X is less than or equal to 20° in the relaxed state.

In some embodiments, the vertical member 130 defines at least one aperture 120 extending between the first surface 132 and the second surface 134. The at least one aperture 120 is of a shape generally similar to the shape of the at least one biasing member 110 and is located on the vertical member 130, with the attached end 112 forming one side of the at least one aperture 120. The at least one aperture 120 may be configured to allow the at least one biasing member 110 to move therethrough. In some embodiments, any number of biasing members 110 and apertures 120 may be integrated on the vertical member 130, for example, one, two or three biasing members 110 and apertures 120 that individually correspond with one another. Additionally, in some embodiments, the vertical member 130 may include one or more screw holes 118 extending therethrough and configured to allow a connection to a panel with a fastener 119 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The fastener 119 may include a screw, bolt, clip, on any other suitable configuration for connecting the H-shaped bracket to a panel.

Now referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a closet system 10, including a first panel 150, a second panel 154, and the H-shaped bracket 100 connecting the first panel 150 to the second panel 154 is illustrated. The first panel 150 includes a first contacting surface 152. The second panel 154 includes a second contacting surface 158 and an outward surface 156. In some embodiments, the panels may be comprised of wood, plastic, plexiglass, or the like.

The first opening 144 is configured to engage the first panel 150 therein. In some embodiments, the first panel 150 fits snuggly between the upper horizontal member 138 and the lower horizontal member 140 within the first opening 144, with the first contacting surface 152 pressed against at least a portion of the first surface 132 of the vertical member 130. The second opening 142 is configured to engage the second panel 154 therein. In some embodiments, the second panel 154 fits snuggly between the upper horizontal member 138 and the lower horizontal member 140 within the second opening 142, the second contacting surface 158 contacting the at least one biasing member 110. In some embodiments, a portion of the outward surface 156 abuts against the end member 136 and is thereby covered by the end member 136. More specifically, the end member 136, in conjunction with the upper horizontal member 138 and the lower horizontal member 140 cover a portion of the second panel 154 adjacent the second contacting surface 158 and thereby cover the gap between the second contacting surface and the second surface 134 of the vertical member 110.

The H-shaped bracket 100 connects the first panel 150 and the second panel 154 as both the first panel 150 and second panel 154 are press fit within the first opening 144 and the second opening 142 respectively and against a vertical back panel 160. As described above, the upper horizontal member 138 extends parallel to the lower horizontal member 140, thereby disposing the first panel 150 and the second panel 154 in a coplanar configuration. However, the H-shaped bracket 100 may be configured to position the first panel 150 and the second panel 154 in any suitable configuration.

Now referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, cross-sectional views of a portion of the closet system 10 are illustrated, with FIG. 4 illustrating the biasing member in the relaxed state and with FIG. 5 illustrating the biasing member in a biasing state. FIG. 4 shows the unattached end 114 of the at least one biasing member 110 in the relaxed state and brought into contact with the second contacting surface 158 of the second panel 154. The H-shaped bracket 100 and the second panel 154 are further moved toward one another, causing the unattached end 114 to press against the second contacting surface 158 of the second panel 154. As such, the at least one biasing member 110 applies pressure against the second contacting surface 158 of the second panel 154. As pressure is applied by the at least one biasing member 110, the unattached end 114 may be press fit into the second panel 154, coupling the first panel 150, the second panel 154, and the H-shaped bracket 100.

In some embodiments, upon a threshold applied by the second panel 154 in a direction towards the second surface 134 of the vertical member 130, the at least one biasing member 110 may bias towards the vertical member 130 and into the aperture 120, as shown in FIG. 5. As such, the second panel 154 may continue to be press fit into the second opening 142 of the H-shaped bracket 100 even if one or more surfaces are uneven. In some embodiments, one biasing member 110 may be biased such that the distance between the unattached end 114 and the vertical member 130 is greater than or less than the distance between the unattached 114 and the vertical member 130 of another biasing member 110.

From the above, 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, which facilitates a stable, secure connection between a first panel and a second panel with uneven or crooked surfaces.

It is noted that the terms “substantially,” “generally,” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.