Attachment of hold features to a climbing wall

Abstract

A climbing hold apparatus can be used on an existing climbing wall that comprises a plurality of wall attachment points fixed to the climbing wall in various patterns. The apparatus comprises a mounting bracket defining at least first and second wall fastener apertures. At least one aperture is elongated, such that each of the apertures can be aligned with one of the wall attachment points, and wall fasteners inserted to fasten the mounting bracket to the wall. The mounting bracket further defines a bracket slot at each end thereof. An elongate track is attached to the mounting bracket by track fasteners inserted through a slot in the track slot and the bracket slots such that the track may be adjustably oriented with respect to the mounting bracket. A track attachment point is located adjacent to each end of the track to attach a climbing hold feature.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A climbing hold apparatus for use on a climbing wall that comprises a plurality of wall attachment points fixed to the climbing wall, each wall attachment point adapted to receive a wall fastener for attaching a climbing hold to the climbing wall, the apparatus comprising: 
 a mounting bracket defining at least first and second wall fastener apertures, wherein at least the second wall fastener aperture is elongated, such that each of the first and second wall fastener apertures can be aligned with one of the wall attachment points, and such that a wall fastener can be inserted through each of the first and second wall fastener apertures into an aligned wall attachment point to fasten the mounting bracket to the wall;    wherein the mounting bracket further defines a first bracket slot adjacent to a first end of the mounting bracket, and a second bracket slot adjacent to an opposite second end of the mounting bracket;    an elongate track defining a track slot along a substantial length thereof such that the track can be fastened to the mounting bracket by a first track fastener inserted through the track slot and the first bracket slot, and by a second track fastener inserted through the track slot and the second bracket slot, such that the track may be adjustably oriented with respect to the mounting bracket;    wherein the track further comprises a track attachment point located adjacent to each end thereof; and    a climbing hold feature defining at least two hold apertures located such that the hold apertures can be aligned with the track attachment points and such that a hold fastener can be inserted through each of the hold apertures into an aligned track attachment point to fasten the climbing hold feature to the track.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the climbing hold feature is a hollow molded feature having an outer edge that is located closely adjacent to the wall when attached to the track such that the track and mounting bracket are covered by the climbing hold feature.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein a first hollow molded climbing hold feature attached to a first track and a first mounting bracket can be aligned in close proximity with a second hollow molded climbing hold feature attached to a second track and second mounting bracket, thereby providing a modular hollow molded climbing feature comprising the first hollow molded climbing hold feature and the second hollow molded climbing hold feature.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the mounting bracket defines a plurality of first wall fastener apertures.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the second elongated wall fastener aperture is arcuate.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second wall fastener apertures defined by the mounting bracket are arcuate elongated first and second wall fastener slots, configured such that a distance between the first and second wall fastener slots varies along a length of the mounting bracket..  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second bracket slots are arcuate facing each other, and wherein a radius of each slot is substantially equal.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the track slot comprises first and second slot portions cut into opposite ends of the track.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the mounting bracket comprises raised flanges along opposite sides thereof, such that when the flanges are placed against the climbing wall, a central portion of the mounting bracket that defines the wall fastener apertures and the bracket slots is removed from the wall to provide access for securing the fasteners through the track slot and the first and second bracket slots holding the track to the mounting bracket.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the wall attachment points comprise nuts fixed to the climbing wall, and wherein the wall fasteners comprise bolts adapted to screw into the nuts.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the track fasteners comprise a bolt secured to the apparatus by a nut.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the track attachment points comprise nuts fixed to the track and wherein the hold fasteners comprise bolts adapted to screw into the nuts.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the track attachment points comprise threaded holes in the track and wherein the hold fasteners comprise bolts adapted to screw into the threaded holes.