TOOL-LESS FAST FIT BRACKET

[0001] This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/644,889, filed Mar. 19, 2018, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] None.

[0003] The present invention relates generally to curtain rods, and more particularly to a tool-less fast fit bracket.

[0004] In general, curtain rods and such are hung on brackets. In a typical installation, a bracket is placed in a desired position against a wall, the bracket secured to the wall using nails and/or screws, and a curtain rod positioned and suspended securely across the bracket. At a minimum, the installation of the bracket requires a hammer and/or a screwdriver to fixate the nails and/or screws and reasonable manual dexterity to secure the bracket to the wall. More specifically, the bracket is positioned on the wall, nails and/or screws are tap and/or screwed into the wall, and curtain and rod are hung on the bracket.

[0005] What is needed is a system that eases an installation of a curtain rod bracket to a wall structure.

[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0007] In general, in one aspect, the invention features a system including a bracket, the bracket comprising a back plate, an arm and a curtain rod cradle, and a fastening plate, a rear of the back plate configured to slidably receive the fastening plate.

[0008] In another aspect, the invention features a system including a bracket, the bracket comprising a back plate, an arm and a curtain rod cradle, and a fastening prong, fastening prong comprising a flat portion linked to a penetration portion, a rear of the back plate configured to slidably receive the flat portion.

[0009] In still another aspect, the invention features a method including providing a bracket system having a bracket and a prong, sliding a back of the bracket over an exposed portion of the prong, and manually pressing the bracket into a wall at a desired location without the use of additional tools, securing the bracket to the wall with a pointed end of the prong.

[0010] The invention may have one or more of the following advantages.

[0011] The installation of a curtain rod bracket is accomplished by placing bracket having a fastening prong at a desired location, manually pressing it into a wall without accessory tools.

[0012] The installation of a curtain rod bracket is effectuated without a need for tools.

[0013] A bracket and a prong are assembled prior to installation by sliding a flat portion of the prong into a channel on the back of the bracket. A customer then uses the bracket as leverage in securing the bracket to a wall with a pointed end of the prong. This makes installation easier.

[0014] These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only and are not restrictive of aspects as claimed.

[0025] The subject innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the present invention.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of an exemplary fast fit bracket system 100 includes a bracket 110 and a fastening plate 120 having apertures 122, 124 to receive finishing nails 126, 128, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, an angle of the apertures 122, 124 is 45 degrees relative to the fastening plate 120. It should be appreciated that the shape and design of the bracket 110 can vary. In addition, it should be appreciated that the finishing nails 126, 128 may be replaced with other securing objects, such as screws. In the example embodiment, the bracket 110 includes a back plate 130, an arm 140 and a curtain rod cradle 150. The curtain rod cradle 150 is configured to receive a curtain rod (not shown) that is secured within the curtain rod cradle 150 with a rod support set screw 152. As will be described further, the bracket 100 is configured to mate with the fastening plate 120 and the fastening plate 120 is secured to a wall structure (not shown) by the finishing nails 126, 128.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, a second embodiment of an exemplary fast fit bracket system 200 includes a bracket 210 and a fastening plate 220 having apertures 222, 224 to receive finishing nails 226, 228, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, an angle of the apertures 222, 224 is 45 degrees relative to the fastening plate 220. In the embodiment shown, the bracket 210 includes a back plate 230, an arm 240, a first curtain rod cradle 250 and a second curtain rod cradle 252. The curtain rod cradles 250, 252 are configured to receive curtain rods (not shown) that are secured within respective curtain rod cradles 250, 252 with rod support set screws 254, 256. As will be described further, the bracket 200 is configured to mate with the fastening plate 220 and the fastening plate 220 is secured to a wall structure (not shown) by the finishing nails 226, 228.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the brackets, for example, bracket 210, includes a back portion (i.e., the portion of the bracket 210 opposite the arm 240) configured with a channel 300. The channel 300 is formed by opposing side rails 310, 312 and a top rail 314. A lower portion 316 of the channel is open ended. The channel 300 is sized to snugly receive the fastening plate 220. More specifically, after the fastening plate 220 is secured to a wall structure, the channel 300 of the bracket 210 is slid over the fastening plate 220, securing the bracket 210 to the fastening plate 220 and thus to the wall structure. The top rail 314 of the channel 300 limits upward travel and acts like a stop when the bracket 210 is placed over the fastening plate 220.

[0029] The fastening plates 120, 220 shown above, generally require use of a hammer or screwdriver in conjunction with nails or screws to secure the fastening plates 120, 220 to any wall structure. However, manual insertion may be used when the wall structure is standard wall board. But there are times in which a tool-less system would be preferred. Referring now to FIG. 4, in an alternate embodiment, the fastening plates 120, 220 are replaced by a prong 400. The prong 400 includes an exposed portion 410 offset from two penetration portions 412, 414. A user presses the penetration portions 412, 414 into a wall structure and the exposed portion 410 remains visible. The exposed portion 410 is manually placed into the channel 300 until it abuts against the top rail 314, thus securing the bracket 110, 210 to the wall structure.

[0030] In FIG. 5, alignment of a prong 500 is shown relative to a channel 510 of a bracket 520. As described above, the channel 510 is slid over an exposed portion 530 of the prong 500 after penetration portions 540, 542 are placed with in a wall structure.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 6, in one embodiment the fastening plates 120, 220 are replaced with a lengthened and shaped fastening plate 600 to increase to stability. The fastening plate 600 includes a tapered mid-section 610, an upper portion that includes apertures 620, 622 for use with nails or screws (not shown) that are used to secure the fastening plate 600 to a wall structure (no shown).

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary rear view of a fast fit bracket system 700 and FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary bottom view of a fast fit bracket system 800.

[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary side view of a fast fit bracket system 900.

[0034] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is by way of example only, and other variations of the above-described embodiments and methods are provided by the present invention. The embodiments described herein have been presented for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Many variations and modifications are possible in light of the foregoing teaching. The invention is limited only by the following claims.