Wall Article Support

Abstract

A mounting apparatus for clamping to a wall so that articles may be supported on the wall by the mounting apparatus is described. Walls suited for use with the invention include wall with a plurality of niches or projecting opposed faces which include rake cavities of a brick wall, each of which include niche or cavity sides, the mounting apparatus including: at least two jaw bodies for engaging with respective niche sides; and a drive apparatus operatively connected to the jaw bodies which includes an expansion drive apparatus for providing at least an expansion drive force to drive the at least two jaw bodies away from one another so as in use to mount the jaw bodies on niche sides which generally face one another, whether or not the niche sides are in the same niche.

1 . A mounting apparatus for clamping to a wall having a plurality of niches, each of which comprises niche sides, the mounting apparatus comprising: at least two jaw bodies for engaging with respective niche sides; and a drive apparatus operatively connected to at least one of the jaw bodies which comprises an expansion drive apparatus for providing at least an expansion drive force to drive the at least two jaw bodies away from one another so as in use to mount the jaw bodies on niche sides which generally face one another, whether or not the niche sides are in the same niche. 
   
   
       2 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the drive apparatus comprises a clamping drive so as to drive the jaw bodies towards one another in a clamping action so as in use to mount the jaw bodies on niche sides which generally face away from one another. 
   
   
       3 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the jaw bodies are adapted to abut rake cavity faces of brick walls. 
   
   
       4 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein each jaw body is in the form of a jaw block so as to provide a high degree of strength of support for articles supported by the mounting apparatus. 
   
   
       5 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the jaw block comprises a lip so as to insert into the niche to gain a grip on a niche face. 
   
   
       6 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the lip comprises an engagement wall which tapers outwards from the jaw block to provide additional grip in a plane normal to the wall, which improves tear-out force. 
   
   
       7 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the drive apparatus includes an interengaged mechanism so as to provide a positive drive in which a selected movement of the drive apparatus results in a corresponding and repeatable relative movement of the jaw bodies towards or away from one another. 
   
   
       8 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the drive apparatus is a threaded bar to facilitate repeatability of operation and positive drive. 
   
   
       9 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the threaded bar is mounted in opposed faces of the jaw bodies when installed so as to facilitate accurate positioning of the jaw bodies when the drive apparatus is moved. 
   
   
       10 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the threaded bar comprises a right hand thread on one end and a left-hand thread on the other so as to provide a turnbuckle. 
   
   
       11 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the drive apparatus further comprises a central hexagonal nut to facilitate grip and accurate force transfer to the niche sides. 
   
   
       12 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the drive apparatus further comprises lock nuts to facilitate holding the jaw bodies in a selected clamped position. 
   
   
       13 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the threaded bar when assembled mounts in threaded apertures on opposed faces of the jaw bodies. 
   
   
       14 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the mounting apparatus further comprises one or more mounting devices for mounting articles on the jaw bodies. 
   
   
       15 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 14  wherein the mounting devices comprise one or more slots arranged parallel to the wall when installed so as to mount articles on the jaw bodies. 
   
   
       16 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the slots are formed in the upper and lower surfaces to provide extra purchase for mounting brackets. 
   
   
       17 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 14  wherein the slots are spaced from the wall when installed, so as to facilitate mounting of bracketry and other items on the jaw bodies. 
   
   
       18 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the slots are in the form of transverse slots or longitudinal slots. 
   
   
       19 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 18  wherein transverse slots extend from side wall to side wall so as to form a hook for mounting a wire for a picture frame. 
   
   
       20 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 18  wherein the longitudinal slots extend through the jaw body and provide walls to provide lateral stability for a mating flange. 
   
   
       21 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the mounting apparatus comprises mounting brackets for mounting a shelf, a pot plant, a clothesline carrier, a rack and or a rail. 
   
   
       22 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 21  wherein the each mounting bracket comprises a chamber for receiving jaw bodies so as to provide lateral stability. 
   
   
       23 . A mounting apparatus in accordance with  claim 21  wherein each mounting bracket also comprises a projection or flange for cooperating with a slot. 
   
   
       24 . A mounting apparatus for clamping to a wall having a plurality of niches, each of which include niche sides, the mounting apparatus comprising: at least two jaw bodies for engaging with respective niche sides; and a drive apparatus operatively connected to the jaw bodies which comprises an expansion drive apparatus for providing either an expansion drive force or a clamping drive force for relative drive between the at least two jaw bodies, wherein at least one of the jaw bodies and the drive apparatus are interengaged so that an expansion or drive input to the drive apparatus results in a corresponding and repeatable expansion or clamping relative movement respectively between the jaw bodies. 
   
   
       25 . (canceled)