Systems, brackets, and methods for mounting storage structures to office work surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suspending storage structures like filing cabinets and cubbies under office work surfaces is cumbersome, often requiring two people to hold and secure them simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A bracket system with securing, installation, and restraining features that allows easy mounting of storage structures to the underside of office furniture, featuring channels for rail engagement, through holes for fasteners, and locating features for precise positioning, along with arms or legs to inhibit detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If storage structures are suspended from the underside of work surfaces using conventional methods, then the storage structure can be mounted to the work surface, but the mounting process becomes cumbersome and requires two people to hold and secure simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
A bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the storage structure and the work surface. The bracket includes a securing feature that attaches to the work surface, an installation feature that couples to the storage structure, and restraining features (arms or legs) that engage with the storage structure to prevent detachment. This intermediary device enables single-person mounting by providing built-in positioning and restraining mechanisms that eliminate the need for a second person to hold the storage structure during installation.
2Productivity
If storage structures are suspended from the underside of work surfaces, then storage functionality is achieved, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is pre-configured with securing features, installation features, and restraining features before being applied to the work surface. The restraining features (arms or legs) are positioned in advance to automatically engage with the storage structure during installation, eliminating the need for manual positioning and holding during the mounting process. This preliminary configuration significantly reduces mounting time and increases productivity.
3Reliability
If conventional mounting methods are used, then the storage structure can be attached, but the process requires simultaneous holding and securing by multiple people
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket incorporates movable restraining features (arms or legs) that can dynamically adjust during installation. These features are configured to engage with the storage structure and inhibit detachment through mechanical constraints such as arms received in apertures or legs that engage and are displaced by the storage structure. This dynamic restraining mechanism ensures reliable attachment security while allowing simple single-person operation during installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for mounting to an underside of a work surface of an office furniture structure includes a storage structure and a bracket. The storage structure includes at least one storage chamber and at least one installation feature coupled to the at least one storage chamber. The bracket includes at least one securing feature configured to secure the bracket to the underside of the work surface of the office furniture structure. The bracket further includes at least one installation feature configured to couple the least one installation features of the storage structure. At least one of the storage structure and the bracket includes at least one restraining feature configured to engage the other of the storage structure and the bracket and inhibit the storage structure from being detached from the bracket.