Flexible mounting bracket

Abstract

A flexible mounting bracket for attaching partitions to a mounting surface is provided. The flexible mounting bracket has a retaining member for securing the partition, a mounting member for securing the bracket to a mounting surface, and a biasing connector for flexibly attaching the mounting member to the retaining member. The flexible mounting bracket of the present invention absorbs forces applied to the partition without transferring these forces to the mounting surface, thereby preventing or significantly limiting damage to the mounting surface. The flexible mounting bracket of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with a shim to allow adjustment of the retaining member relative to the mounting member.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A flexible mounting bracket adapted for attaching a panel to a structure, comprising: 
 a retaining member for interconnecting said bracket to the panel;    a mounting member for interconnecting said bracket to the structure; and    a biasing connector for flexibly interconnecting said retaining member to said mounting member.    
     
     
         2 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retaining member is U-shaped.  
     
     
         3 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said biasing connector is a spring.  
     
     
         4 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said spring is about 0.5 inches in diameter.  
     
     
         5 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said biasing connector further comprises a nut.  
     
     
         6 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said biasing connector further comprises a bolt.  
     
     
         7 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a restraint member, wherein said restraint member limits the movement of said retaining member relative to said mounting member.  
     
     
         8 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a shim for maintaining a desired position of said restraining member relative to said mounting member.  
     
     
         9 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retaining member is capable of movement relative to said mounting member in an angular displacement of between 0° and about 25°.  
     
     
         10 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said biasing connector is adjustable to selectively vary the force required to move said retaining member relative to said mounting member.  
     
     
         11 . A mounting bracket adapted for flexibly securing a panel to a structure, comprising: 
 a retaining member including two opposing arms, a base, and at least one connecting aperture through said base;    a mounting member having at least one connector passage; and    a biasing connector including a bolt and a spring, wherein said bolt is disposed through said connecting aperture, said connector passage and said spring for flexibly interconnecting said retaining member to said mounting member.    
     
     
         12 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said retaining member is U-shaped.  
     
     
         13 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a restraint member for limiting movement of said retaining member relative to said mounting member.  
     
     
         14 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a shim for maintaining a desired position of said restraining member relative to said mounting member.  
     
     
         15 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said retaining member is capable of movement relative to said mounting member in an angular displacement of between 0° and about 25°.  
     
     
         16 . The flexible mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said biasing connector is adjustable to selectively vary the force required to move said retaining member relative to said mounting member.  
     
     
         17 . A method of flexibly mounting a panel to a wall comprising: 
 providing a bracket having a retaining member, a mounting member, and a biasing connector, the biasing connector including a bolt, a spring and a nut, wherein a rear portion of the biasing connector extends beyond the back of the mounting member;    drilling a hole in a wall, the hole sized to accept the rear portion of the biasing connector;    feeding the rear portion of the biasing connector into the hole in the wall;    interconnecting the bracket to the wall; and    placing a panel in the bracket.    
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of securing the panel to the retaining member of the bracket.  
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of inserting a shim between the retaining member and the mounting member.  
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of adjusting the tension of the bracket by tightening or loosening the nut of the biasing connector.