Spacing device and method

Abstract

A method of securing fitted furniture (11) to a target surface (12) using one or more spacing devices (21, 22) is described. Each spacing device 821, 22) has a first end for engagement with the fitted furniture and a second end for contacting the target surface. The method comprises the steps of mounting one or more fixed length spacing devices (21, 22) to the rear of a unit of fitted furniture (11), positioning the furniture with respect to the target surface (12), such that at least one of the spacing devices (21, 22) is in contact with the target surface (12), and fixing the furniture (11) having the spacing devices (21, 22) mounted thereto to the target surface.

1 . A method of securing fitted furniture to a target surface using one or more spacing devices, each spacing device having a first end for engagement with the fitted furniture and a second end for contacting the target surface, comprising the steps of:
 mounting one or more fixed length spacing devices to the rear of a unit of fitted furniture;   positioning the furniture with respect to the target surface using the one or more mounted fixed length spacing devices; and   fixing the furniture to the target surface.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning positions the furniture such that at least one of the spacing devices is in contact with the target surface, and the step of fixing is carried out while the spacing devices are mounted to the furniture. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the furniture and the spacing devices are provided with mutually engageable mounting formations, and the mounting step of the method comprises engaging the mounting formation of a spacing device with the corresponding mounting formation on the furniture. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the mutually engageable mounting formations comprise screw threading. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting step is carried out before the positioning step. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of fixing the furniture to the target surface comprises using a variable length spacing device. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , comprising a step of positioning a variable length spacing device between a fixing surface of the furniture and the target surface, and adjusting a length of the variable length spacing device to substantially match a distance between the fixing surface and the target surface. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , comprising extending a fixing through the fixing surface and the variable length spacing device and into the target surface. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , comprising tightening the fixing to clamp the variable length spacing device between the fixing surface and the target surface. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the one or more spacing devices is at least partially removed prior to the fixing step. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the target surface is a wall. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the fixing surface is a cross-brace of the furniture. 
     
     
         13 . A kit of parts comprising an item of furniture and one or more fixed length spacing devices for mounting to the item of fitted furniture, wherein the spacing devices when mounted define contact points for spacing the furniture away from a target surface to which it is to be fixed. 
     
     
         14 . A kit of parts according to  claim 13 , wherein the fitted furniture and the spacing devices comprise mutually engaging mounting formations to attach the spacing devices to the furniture. 
     
     
         15 . A kit of parts according to  claim 13 , comprising a variable length spacing device through which the fixing surface is fixed to the target surface. 
     
     
         16 . An item of installed furniture, installed in accordance with the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A fixed length spacing device for the method of  claim 1 .