Mounting assembly

Abstract

A mounting assembly is provided for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member. The mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket for attachment to the structural member, and a suspension bracket defining a cavity for positioning of at least a portion of the object therein. The suspension bracket is operably coupled to the mounting bracket so as to enable adjustable positioning of the suspension bracket with respect to the mounting bracket.

1 . A mounting assembly for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member, the mounting assembly comprising:
 a mounting bracket for attachment to the structural member; and   a suspension bracket defining a cavity for positioning of at least a portion of the object therein, the suspension bracket being operably coupled to the mounting bracket so as to enable adjustable positioning of the suspension bracket with respect to the mounting bracket.   
   
   
       2 . The mounting assembly of  claim 1  wherein the mounting bracket is coupled to the suspension bracket by a connecting member attached to the mounting bracket and from which the suspension bracket is suspended. 
   
   
       3 . The mounting assembly of  claim 2  wherein the suspension bracket includes at least one hole formed therein through which the connecting member extends, to guide motion of the suspension bracket along the connecting member. 
   
   
       4 . The mounting assembly of  claim 3  further comprising a detent mechanism for preventing movement of the suspension bracket in a first direction with respect to the mounting bracket. 
   
   
       5 . The mounting assembly of  claim 4  wherein the detent mechanism comprises:
 a detent having a first portion abutting a bearing structure formed by a portion of the suspension bracket, and a second portion extending from the first portion and having a hole formed therein through which the connecting member extends; and   a spring member compressed between the detent and the suspension bracket so as to urge pivoting of the detent in a first rotational direction about the bearing structure, thereby causing an edge portion of the hole to engage a portion of the connecting member to prevent motion of the suspension bracket along the connecting member in the first direction.   
   
   
       6 . The mounting assembly of  claim 5  wherein a force applied to the suspension bracket in a second direction opposite the first direction produces pivoting of the detent about the bearing structure in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby disengaging the edge portion of the hole from the portion of the connecting member to enable motion of the suspension bracket along the connecting member in the first direction. 
   
   
       7 . The mounting assembly of  claim 5  wherein a force applied to the second portion of the detent in a second direction opposite the first direction produces pivoting of the detent about the bearing structure in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby disengaging the edge portion of the hole from the portion of the connecting member to enable motion of the suspension bracket along the connecting member in the first direction. 
   
   
       8 . A mounting bracket for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member, the mounting bracket comprising:
 a base portion adapted for coupling an object thereto; and   a pair of opposed wall members extending from the base portion for attachment to the structural member.   
   
   
       9 . The mounting bracket of  claim 8  wherein the wall members are resiliently deflectable. 
   
   
       10 . The mounting bracket of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the wall members includes a projection projecting therefrom into a cavity formed by the base portion and the pair of opposed wall members, to form a hard stop for a structural member inserted into the cavity. 
   
   
       11 . The mounting bracket of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the opposed wall members has an angled projection formed proximate an end thereof to provide a lead-in surface for the structural member 
   
   
       12 . The mounting bracket of  claim 11  wherein the angled projection forms an angle of between approximately 0° and approximately 90° with a portion of the at least one of the opposed wall members 
   
   
       13 . The mounting bracket of  claim 12  wherein the angled projection forms an angle of approximately 45° with the portion of the at least one of the opposed wall members 
   
   
       14 . A mounting assembly including a mounting bracket in accordance with  claim 8 . 
   
   
       15 . A mounting assembly for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member, the mounting assembly comprising:
 a mounting bracket for attachment to the structural member;   a connecting member attached to the mounting bracket;   a suspension bracket defining a cavity for positioning of at least a portion of the object therein, the suspension bracket being coupled to the connecting member so as to enable adjustable positioning of the suspension bracket along the connecting member; and   a detent mechanism for engaging the suspension bracket and the connecting member to prevent movement of the suspension bracket in a first direction along the connecting member.   
   
   
       16 . A detent mechanism for preventing motion of a first member along a second member to which the first member is coupled, the detent mechanism comprising:
 a detent having a first portion abutting a bearing structure formed by a portion of the first member, and a second portion extending from the first portion and having a hole formed therein through which the second member extends; and   a spring member compressed between the detent and the first member so as to urge pivoting of the detent in a first rotational direction about the bearing structure, thereby causing an edge portion of the hole to engage a portion of the second member to prevent motion of the first member along the second member in the first direction.   
   
   
       17 . The detent mechanism of  claim 16  wherein a force applied to the first member in a second direction opposite the first direction produces pivoting of the detent about the bearing structure in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby disengaging the edge portion of the hole from the portion of the second member to enable motion of the first member along the second member in the first direction. 
   
   
       18 . The mounting assembly of  claim 16  wherein a force applied to the second portion of the detent in a second direction opposite the first direction produces pivoting of the detent about the bearing structure in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby disengaging the edge portion of the hole from the portion of the second member to enable motion of the first member along the second member in the first direction.