BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION There are various instances where a rail is to be mounted in conjunction with a pair of stand-offs which have the effect of holding the rail out from (and usually parallel to) a surface such as a wall. Examples include towel rails and rails that might be used for supporting a shower head.

The term"rails"therefore in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate member of any appropriate section or form whether of constant cross section or otherwise. Such rails can be solid, hollow or otherwise and can include some machining or forming at least one or both ends thereof.

With rails of a kind for the purpose referred to above it is usual for rail of a pre-cut length to be provided such that each end of the rail has some form of adaption to allow it to be associated with an already wall fitted stand-off. In other forms however there can be some provision made for the rail ends to be received laterally into a stand-off whereupon special provision needs to be made for the fitting of at least the second of the two stand-offs to the surface.

The present invention recognises that the public can be provided with an advantage where a rail is adapted to be cut to length at one end region thereby to provide a rail with an end region that is simply a cut-off end of the rail yet can still be stand-off supported preferably to be received laterally into (an already fixed stand-off, such stand-off preferably being capable of being pre-mounted using a taper-lock arrangement).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mounting system such as that useful for rail mounting (i. e. methods, apparatus, combinations, assemblies and uses) that provides the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect the present invention consists in a method of mounting a rail comprising or including the steps of, (i) mounting a first stand-off to a surface by use of a fastener and taper-lock

assembly by both attachment into said surface and expansion of said taper-lock against the interior of said first stand-off, (ii) locating a first end of said rail into said first stand-off and (iii) locating a second end of said rail into a second stand-off, and (iv) mounting said second stand-off to said surface by use of a fastener that, within said second stand-off, passes through said rail and into said surface.

In use it is envisaged that the rail will be measured or, when in one or both stand offs be assessed for length and, if necessary, cut prior to step (ii). The possibility exists that such cutting to length can also occur prior to step (i) or immediately prior to step (iii). It is envisaged however that measurement or assessment will occur after the performance of step (i) and initial location of a first end of said rail into said first stand- off with a view to locating a placement of the second stand-off and prior to performing actual steps (ii), (iii), (iv) cutting that end of the rail not to be mounted by said second stand-off. With such a preferment it is that cut-end that is received into the first stand- off.

As used herein"comprising"means at least having those terms, steps, components or conditions that follow the word comprising and is to be interpreted inclusively.

As used herein the term"and/or"means"and"or"or", or both if appropriate.

As used herein" (s)" following a noun means both or either the singular or plural of that noun.

As used herein the term"tube""tubular"or"hollow"includes any form having a cross-section which is of closed form about a cavity; preferably, but not necessarily so, of constant cross section.

In another aspect the present invention consists in a method of mounting a rail comprising or including the steps of, locating a first stand-off from or on a surface, mounting said first stand-off to said surface by use of a taper-lock assembly and fastener or the like of said first stand-off, (optionally) locating the position of a second stand-off from or on a surface, (optionally) cutting a rail to length to fit between said first and second stand-off, locating said rail on or in between said first stand-off and the or a second stand- off, and

mounting said second stand-off to said surface by use of a fastener or the like that passes through said rail and into said surface.

Preferably the rail is machined or punched to accommodate said fastener or the like for the second stand-off.

Preferably the method is to provide a rail usable or used for attaching or hanging hardware, articles or items to or from (eg; a shower head support rail).

Preferably said rail is hollow.

Preferably said rail is of circular cross-section.

Preferably said stand-off is of circular cross-section.

Preferably said stand-off is of hollow form.

In other forms of the present invention the cross-section of the stand-off and/or rail may be other than circular, such as hexagonal, square or otherwise.

Preferably said two surfaces are coplanar.

Preferably said rail is mounted parallel to said surfaces.

Preferably mounting of said stand-offs is achieved with a taper-lock assembly as is herein described.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in, in combination, moulded components ("taper-lock") capable of being inserted interiorly of a tube (of any section), a first moulded component ("locking") including an at least in part disrupted and/or skeletonised form so as to allow it to be splayed, forced or cammed outwardly to achieve a grip on such a tube, and a second moulded component ("taper") with adaption to receive a fastener therethrough, which second component will have the effect, under the drawing effect of a suitable said fastener towards a mounting surface, of achieving the splaying, forcing and/or camming of said locking to achieve said grip.

Preferably each component is moulded in a plastics material.

Preferably said lock ring is substantially annular in form but preferably with a substantially cylindrical outer surface and preferably with a frustoconical internal surface.

Preferably said taper has a substantially frustoconical periphery.

Preferably the lock ring of the taper-lock combination or assembly includes end wise intrusions provided during the moulded process whereby in a pleat like manner (i. e.; axially peripherally pleated) the lock ring can be expanded.

In other forms of the present invention the moulded components may be of other

than circular cross-section to fit stand-offs of other than circular cross-section.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in combination, whether in assembly or dis-assembly, a first stand-off, a taper-lock assembly or components thereof (preferably of a kind substantially as herein defined) suitable for fitment in the interior of said first stand-off, optionally a fastener adapted to achieve fitting of the first stand-off using the taper- lock assembly with the taper-lock components within said first stand-off, a rail capable of being received substantially laterally of the first stand-off, said rail including a lateral opening at one end to allow the passage of a fastener therethrough, a second stand-off capable of laterally receiving the rail, and optionally a second fastener, the combination allowing the rail to be simply received laterally in the first stand- off when mounted using the taper-lock components with the lateral opening end of the rail being adapted to receive a fastener which fixes it, spaced in part by the second stand- off to a support surface thereby to fix the second stand-off to that support surface.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a rail assembly having been mounted in part or totally using a method in accordance with the present invention and/or using any of the components of a combination or assembly as herein described.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of allowing a rail to be mounted by a pair of stand-offs despite providing an option of cutting one end of the rail so that the rail is or can be cut to length, the arrangement being substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings irrespective of whether or not the stand-offs are as herein described, the rail is as herein described, the fasteners are as herein described or the taper-lock combination or assembly or components thereof is substantially as herein described.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in, in combination or separately, moulded components substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings useful as a taper-lock.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in in combination a taper and lock ring for use with a rail mounting assembly to mount said rail.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a rail mounting utilising a

taper-lock as herein described.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a taper-lock as described herein with reference to one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In yet a further aspect still the present invention consists in in combination whether in assembly or disassembly a taper and lock-ring and slide rail assembly as herein described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 shows an isometric sectional drawing of the slide rail assembly of a kind previously set forth showing both the upper and lower mounting system.

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the fastener to be used with the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a"wing back"plug that may be engaged in an existing fitting in the wall for mounting the present system.

Figure 4 also shows an isometric stand-off member of Figure 1 in closer detail.

Figure 5 shows the sealing member of Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows in isometric the rail of Figure 1.

Figure 7 shows in isometric elevation the cap of Figure 1.

Figure 8 shows a taper-lock assembly for use in the slide rail assembly shown in Figure 1 which is mountable in the lower slide rail mounting.

Figure 9 shows the taper of the assembly of Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows the lock-ring that surrounds the taper in Figure 9 to form the taper- lock assembly of Figure 8.

Figure 11 shows in isometric elevation the fully assembled slide rail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Two stand off members 1 and la have a rail 2 mounted between them and the stand-offs are mounted or mountable to a wall surface with fasteners 5 and Sa. The rail 2, and stand-offs 1 and la are preferably of stainless steel, such as, but not limited to 316 SS.

The rail 2 is a circular tube in section and has at least one end (preferably both) provided with a smaller hole 3 and a larger hole 4 through which the head of the fastener

5 can pass. If desired, rather than hole 4 there could be an angle cut or scallop cut to allow fastener placement and fastener driver access to the fastener. In preferred embodiments the fastener is a screw. However other forms of fasteners are contemplated which fall within the scope of the invention such as bolts and nuts (in which ever orientation), other threaded fasteners or equivalent which will achieve the tension effect of a fastener.

The smaller hole 3 whilst allowing the thread and shank of the (in this embodiment) screw 5 to pass therethrough does not allow the head 12 of the screw 5 to pass therethrough.

The stand-off 1 and 1 a (preferably a tube of the circular tube form depicted) each have a lateral opening 6 into which the end 7 of the rail 2 can be received. The end 7 can either bear against the inside opposite curved surface 36 of the member 1, la or not.

Figure 1 shows no such bearing directly against the other side and this is preferable as it allows the fastener 5 to draw down on the rail 2 to allow it to assume its own proper position within tube 1.

In the preferred form of the present invention the screw head 12 bears on the inside of the tubular rail 2 rather than on the outside. In other less preferred forms however that head 12 could bear on the rail between the closing cap 13 and the rail 2 itself but this is less desirable as it will require a longer fastener. In still other forms the rail end 7 can be otherwise modified but a simple cut and drilled to provide holes (3) 3 and 4 end allows easy end user modification where size alternation is needed and is cheapest.

Where, as is preferred, the stand-offs and the slide rail 2 are of a stainless steel, preferably the stand-offs are of round tube of from 25 to 50 mm in outside diameter, with a wall thickness of from 0.5 to 2 mm and a length of from 40 to 200 mm.

Correspondingly preferably the shower slide rail 2 is of length of from 200 mm to 1500 mm, and of outside diameter of from 20mm to 30mm and with a wall thickness of 0.25 mm to 2 mm.

Members falling within the aforementioned range acting in concert will have the requisite strength for the fitment procedure of the present invention.

Whilst preferences have been expressed for the use of stainless steel because of the strength and resistance it provides to the environment in which it is to operate, other

materials can be substituted therefore (eg; chromed brass). There is however a minimum strength requirement over the length of service required for the mounting engagement to work effectively.

The locating seal 8 and 8a (preferably moulded or otherwise fabricated in a thermoplastic rubber or similar suitable material) is adapted to lie against the wall 9 and to use its opening 10 and its peripheral bead 11 to locate the wall 9 proximal end of the stand-off 1, i. e.; by interaction of the bead 11 around as shown (or alternatively within) the stand-off 1 and the lateral interaction (should there be movement) of the sides of the opening 10 of the locating seal 8 against the fastener 5. Preferably part of the seal 8 is interposed to act as a seal directly between the stand-off 1 and the wall 9 (the wall 9 preferably having a shower liner, tile or other like surfacing that has been penetrated by the fastener 5).

The closing cap 13, which can either be in the form of a plug as shown or be otherwise capable of being fitted (by thread engagement, sprung finger internal engagement, etc. ), preferably provides an aesthetic distal presentation and substantially seals off the interior or there of the stand-off 2.

Because of the reliance on a screwing in of the screw 5 in the present embodiment access to the screw head 12 is required viz the stand-off 1 and hence there is a preference for the closing cap 13 for the stand-off 1.

If desired different end mounting procedures can be used for each end but preferably each end is as shown in Figure 1.

With prior art slide rails, in most instances, the equivalent to the stand-offs 1 of the present invention are fixed directly to wall by means of a screw fitted through a flange inside the stand-off. The rail equivalent 2 in turn is fixed to such equivalent stand-offs by way of a tight fit and the length of location into the stand-off equivalent opening 6.

Unlike such prior art forms which require more expensive componentry the present invention by having fastened through the rail prevents its movement and/or rotation over time, i. e.; currently such simply tight fit located ends of existing shower rails tend to rotate and slide.

The taper 17 of the taper-lock assembly 20 has one or more engagement ribs 21 about its periphery to complimentary engage with expansion slots 22 in the lock ring 18.

These prevent rotation of 18 relative to 17.

The retention of the sliding rail 2 to the stand-off la is the same as that for the upper assembly and 1, with the one exception that the lower section of the rail does not have the fastener 5a locking the system together as the upper assembly does. Instead the lower end of the rail is engaged by the hole 6 in the lower stand-off and is free to float to the degree that difference between the outer diameter of the rail 2 and the inner diameter of the hole 6 allows. The lower half stand-off is engaged and subsequently secured to the wall by the taper 17 and lock ring 18 assembly 20.

The location of the second stand-off 1 once it has been decided will determine the length of the rail 2, this can be cut to length by any standard tooling cover such as a hacksaw, bandsaw or similar.

The assembly of the lower mounting 37 consists of the location of the taper-lock inside the stand-off 1. This can be achieved via external assembly of the taper 17 and lock ring 18 followed by insertion into from either end of the stand-off la or separate insertion and internal assembly (again from either end).

The fastener 5 is then passed through from the cap side and into the fastener passage way 23, of taper 17. As the fastener is tightened the taper 17 is pulled into the lock ring 18, the lock ring is then forced out against the inside of the stand-off wall, this locks the taper 17, the lock ring 18 and the stand-off la together, the fastener then pulling this lower rail 37 assembly against the wall 9, securing it in place.

The bottom stand-off la, once secured to the wall 9 (with a locating seal between it and the wall) and panel it is to be mounted on, has aperture 6 of la directed towards the chosen location of the other stand-off 1 in preparation to receive the rail 2. The fastener Sa is tightened into the wall (stud, wing back plug (see below) or otherwise) to secure the taper-lock against the inside of the stand-off la and hence tighten the assembly and seal against the panel or wall. The rail 2 is then slid into the aperture 6 of 1 a and the second stand-off 5 is placed over the other rail end. A fastener 5 is then passed through the apertures 4 and 3 of the end 7 of the rail in 1. The fastener is then screwed into the wall, (stud wing back plug (see below) or otherwise) and tightened to hold the rail 2 against the aperture 6 of the stand-off 1. This prevents the rail from turning and also holds the stand- off 1 assembly rigidly against the wall.

The rail is thus secured and stood off from wall of the shower or bathroom or similar. Caps 13 can then be placed over the openings 25 of each stand-off to present an

aesthetically appealing and waterproof assembly.

The stand-offs 1 and la may be either at the top or the bottom, or may be horizontally or otherwise aligned, e. g. the taper lock assembly 20 may be used in the top stand off 1 and the through rail fastening used on the bottom la. Such a rail can be used in a horizontal arrangement for a sliding shower head, or in a horizontal arrangement as a towel rail. Other uses for such a rail can also be envisaged, such as but not limited to a hand rail.

Whilst the preferment of the stand-offs and rail exemplified herein is of circular cross-section, terms that connote a cross-section that might be round, should be taken to extend to other forms of functional or aesthetic sections, such as but not limited to square, hexagonal, triangular or similar.

The rail 2 whilst it has an aperture 4 and 3 at either end can also be supplied with only one aperture at one end and is then cut to the required length. Alternatively it could conceivably be cut in half to form two rails that then could be used the present system.

Old plumbing fittings, for example shower plumbing, are often left in place on studs or nogs of walls of bathrooms that are being renovated. These are often securely fixed to the frame work behind the wall 9 and provide an ideal location for the fixing of a slide rail or the like. A particular type which has the fluid opening substantially parallel to the wall in which it is mounted is called"a wingback", due to its shape.

A plug of resilient deformable material 14 such as a stiff rubber or plastic can therefore be engaged with the internal thread of the plumbing fixture (not shown) by threading it into place in the hollow of the plumbing fixture (here referred to as a wing back). The plug has a slot 24 in it to allow a flat bladed screw driver to drive it into place.

A recess in the centre 25 of the plug is suitable for initiating the engagement of a screw- type fastener into the body of the plug 14.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how one end can be located more or less to its final condition and thereafter the other end fitted (using a fastener through the rail).