AU718053B3

AU718053B3 - Wall hanging device

Info

Publication number: AU718053B3
Application number: AU14822/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Raphael Klaesi
Original assignee: ONE AHEAD GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDI
Current assignee: MEXEM Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1999-11-08
Filing date: 2000-02-01
Publication date: 2000-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2006-02-01
Also published as: BR0015397A

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A PETTY PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name Of Applicants: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Invention Title: ONE AHEAD GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO PTY LTD RAPHAEL KLAESI 1 Wirra Close St Ives NSW 2075 WALL HANGING DEVICE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a wall hanging device for use in hanging wall-supported objects, such as pictures, mirrors, paintings, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for hanging such objects quickly, efficiently, and in level or other desired orientation.

The invention will be described herein in relation to pictures in order to simplify the description thereof It is to be understood, however, that the term "picture" is used generally to include any object required to be hung or mounted on a wall or other substantially vertical surface, such as a painting, photograph, clock, plate, mobile phone, calculator or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For many people, the task of hanging a picture at a desired height and distance from other pictures, or other objects, is anything but a simple task or chore. Whilst the act of driving a nail into a wall or affixing a picture hook to a wall, is in itself simple, a certain mystique seems to surround the proper placement of the nail on a wall to ensure that the picture will be disposed at the proper height and attitude to the wall when suspended from the hook.

All to often an individual will resort to the trial and error method, that while eventually producing the desired result, invariably also results in numerous holes being punched into the wall surface. This procedure obviously is not the most desirable, either from an aesthetic or practical viewpoint, and many solutions have been proposed to overcome the inherent deficiencies of this practice.

See for example US Patent Nos. 4, 645,165; 4, 455, 756; 5, 520 318; 5, 437, 429 and 3, 945, 599 to mention a few.

US Patent 2, 530, 892 (Mayo) discloses a picture hanger which consists of two components one securable to a wall, the other to a picture frame including coplanar members having interfitting arcuate contact faces in one plane only and with limited rotational ability and limited frictional engagement between the two components.

German Patent Publication DE 3632819A (Biener) discloses a two component picture hanger comprising a tapered lug on one component which fits into a corresponding receiving frame on the other component. Whilst the lug and the receiving frame are interfitting, there is no rotational ability to allow adjustment of one of the components relative to the other.

French Patent Publication FR 2422369A (Profiver) discloses a tapered interfitting two component picture hanger, which again has no rotational ability to allow adjustment of one of the two components relative to the other to facilitate subsequent ease of levelling the picture after it has been mounted on the wall. Likewise, US Patent 4, 340, 195 (Brock) discloses a picture hanger having two pieces engageable and slidable with respect to each other, but with no rotational adjustment possible.

The hanging of a picture generally involves a person using his hands to support a picture on a wall to check the desired picture position, and placing a pencil mark or the like on a wall to indicate the desired position Then a hook position is estimated at which a hook can be mounted which will support the picture wire loosely strung across the back of the picture, so that the picture will lie at, or close to, the desired picture position. Next a nail or screw, or a hook device comprising a hook and fastener such as a nail or staple, is mounted on the wall as by hammering the fastener to the wall. Finally the picture is placed near the wall and manipulated so that the picture wire moves down and engages the hook device. These several steps can be time consuming for amateurs and professionals alike, especially when a large number of pictures are to be hung. Thus picture hanging can be a very labour intensive and expensive exercise.

A further problem is that the pictures do not always lie at the desired position due to the difficulty in estimating the effect of the picture wire bending, and the cantilevering of the picture as it stands out form the wall at the top edge.

Pictures are commonly hung to the wall by means of a cord, wire or the like strung from across the back of the picture between fastener eyes on opposites sides of the picture frame, the cord or wire being suspended on one or more picture hooks embedded in a wall. Difficulty may be experienced in attaching a cord or wire to the back of the picture, particularly in a neat, unobtrusive and secure manner, and difficulty may also be encountered by moving the cord or wire along the hook.

A picture hanging device which requires only a single positioning of the picture to hang it, would be useful, especially where a large number of pictures are to be hung and where the picture hanging expertise or skills of the user are limited.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a picture hanging device which goes at least some way towards overcoming or at least minimizing the problems or limitations outlined above, or at least for providing a clear alternative choice for consumers.

It is another object of this invention to provide a picture hanging device which facilitates the securement and subsequent levelling of a picture with little or no need for taking detailed or complex measurements, wherein the initial securement of the picture to the wall is facilitated due to the possibility of subsequent ease of levelling the picture, and wherein no levelling or measuring devices need be used in the securement of the device upon the wall or other vertical surface.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a picture hanging device which will greatly simplify the chore or task of positioning a picture hook at the proper/required location to support a picture or the like.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a two-part picture hanging device which allows attachment of either component to the picture or to the wall in substantially the exact location they will assume when the picture is attached to the wall.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a two-part picture hanging device which is designed such that when used, a picture will hang parallel to a wall and will not touch or rest against the wall at any point. This greatly reduces discolouration of the wall that usually results from the use of conventional type hanging devices.

It is yet a again another object of this invention to provide a two-part picture hanging device which is relatively simple in construction and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the above objects in view, the present invention resides in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of elements or integers as will be hereinafter described in detail in the specification, particularly defined in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a two-part or two component picture hanging device comprising a first part adapted for attachment to a wall, and a second part adapted for attachment to a picture to be mounted on the wall, said first and seconds parts including coplanar members having interfitting arcuate contact faces in each of the two axially spaced apart parallel planes allowing adjustment of one of said parts relative to the other of said parts about a common horizontal axis of the interfitting arcuate contact faces in each of the two planes. Preferably, the horizontal axes are concentric for the contact faces in both planes.

Preferably, the first part adapted for attachment to the wall includes a front cover plate forward of the coplanar member of the first part, and most preferably includes both front and rear cover plates for the coplanar member, wherein the rear cover plate is adapted for attachment to the wall. In those embodiments having only a front cover plate, the underlying wall surface to which the first part is attached may serve the same function as the rear cover plate. In effect, a receiving space or pocket is formed between the front and rear cover plates of the first part, having an opening to said receiving space or pocket along at least the nominal upper edge of the first part.

Preferably, the second part adapted for attachment to the picture also includes front and rear cover plates for the coplanar member, wherein the rear cover plate is adapted for attachment to the rear surface of the picture or other object to be mounted on the wall, and wherein the front cover plate forms a tang member spaced apart or offset from the rear cover plate and attached to and depending from a position adjacent to the nominal top edge of the second part; whereby when said first part and said seconds part are mated or conjoined together, the tang of the second part is received and housed in the pocket of the first part, to thereby secure the picture to the wall.

In a second form or aspect of the invention, the position of the first and second parts of the device are reversed, but rotated thorough an angle of 180° in the same plane, whereby the second part with an upwardly extending tang member is affixed to the wall, and the first part, with a downwardly facing opening to the pocket, is attached to the back of the picture, whereby the picture is slidably engaged over the upstanding tang fixed in relation to the wall.

As indicated above, the first and second parts include coplanar members having interfitting arcuate faces in each of two axially spaced apart parallel planes, allowing adjustment of one of the said parts relative to the other of said parts about a common horizontal axis of the interfitting arcuate contact faces in each of the two planes.

Preferably, the horizontal axes are concentric for the contact faces in both planes which provides for smooth rotational adjustment to an angle of up to 900 to either side of the nominal vertical axis (see Fig. 3, below). However, in some embodiments the horizontal axes of the two pairs of arcuate faces are not concentric. In this latter embodiment the arcuate contacts faces interfit precisely only in the lowermost position, providing positive positioning and levelling of the attached picture, which may be beneficial for the hanging of large pictures.

To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show one non-limiting example of the invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the second part of the two-part picture hanging device adapted for attachment to a painting or other object to be mounted on a wall; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the first part of the two-part picture hanging device adapted for attachment to a wall; Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the conjoined or interfitting parts of the picture hanging device depicting two configurations illustrating the rotational adjustment to either side of one part relative to the other; Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the first or wall-mounted part of the picture hanging device of Figs. 1 to 3; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the second or picture-mounted part of the picture hanging device of Figs. 1 to 3; Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the conjoined first and second parts of the picture hanging device comprising the components of Figs, 4 and 5; and Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the conjoined first and second parts of the picture hanging device taken on the line A-A in Fig. 3, showing the interfitting arcuate contact faces in each of two separate planes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST METHOD OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the drawings, similar reference numerals designate similar or identical elements and portions referred to in the following description.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the first and second parts of a two component picture hanging device are designated as 1 and 2, respectively, with part I adapted for attachment to a wall surface and part 2 adapted for attachment to the back surface of a picture or other object to be mounted on the wall.

The front face or front cover plate 7 of the wall-mounted part 1 is spaced from the back cover plate or wall plate 8 thereof, which is attachable to the wall (not shown) by means of adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape (not shown). Alternatively, part 1 may be affixed to the wall by means of one or more counter-sunk screws passing through the upper end of the wall plate 8.

Similarly, the second part 2 of the picture hanging device is attached to the back surface of a picture or other object to be hung on a wall by means of adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape on the back face of the base plate 4 thereof. Alternatively, the second part 2 may be affixed to the back surface of the picture by one or more counter-sunk screws or rivets passing throughout the front face 3 of the lower end of the base plate 4.

Fig. 3 depicts left and right cooperating rotational configurations of the conjoined first and second parts 1 and 2. The lower end or depending tang 13 of the front cover plate of the second part 2 is arcuate and comprises a contact face 9 (Fig. 1) adapted to fit and coact with an arcuate coplanar contact face 10 on the first part 1. In this embodiment, the contact faces 9 and 10 are coaxial about the same axis. Similarly, the upper end 14 of the front cover plate 7 of the first part 1 is arcuate and comprises a contact face 11 adapted to fit and coact with the arcuate coplanar contact face 6, 12 on the second part 2. In this embodiment, the contact faces 11 and 12 are coaxial about the same axis. In this embodiment all four interfitting contact faces 9, 10, 11 and 12 are concentrically disposed about a common axis. However, in other embodiments not illustrated) this is not necessarily the case.

Figs. 4-7 depict the component parts 1 and 2, separated and joined, in profile, side evaluation and cross-sectional views, Figs. 1, 5-7 identify the side edges 15 and 16 of the base plate 4, the front plate 5, and the top edge 17, of the second part 2. Likewise, Figs.

2, 4, 6 and 7 identify the side edges views. Figs. 1, 5-7 identify the side edges 15 and 16 of the base plate 4, the front plate 5, and the top edge 17, of the second part 2. Likewise, Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 7 identify the side edge 18 of the base plate or wall plate 4, the top side edge 19 of the contact face or bearing surface 10, the top side edge 20 of the front cover plate 7, and the top edge 21 and the side edge 22 of the first part 1.

The cross-sectional view of the conjoined first and second parts 1 and 2 in Fig. 7 illustrates the interfitting and coacting arcuate contact faces 9 and 10 in one plane and 11 and 12 (14) in a second plane. With reference to Fig. 7 it will be clear that parts 1 and 2 of the picture hanging device are kept in secure but infinitely adjustable coplanar relationship by frictional engagement in five separate horizontal and vertical planes.

The invention allows for simplified placement and mounting of pictures and other objects to a wall surface, at the required height and attitude or orientation, without the need for time-consuming measurements and without the aid of levelling or measuring devices. As such, the hanging device of the present invention is useful in a variety of applications in the home, office, commercial premises, galleries, to mention but a few applications.

The fact that the hanging device of the present invention allows pictures or other objects to be mounted on a wall surface without the picture or object actually touching the wall surface, greatly reduces discolouration of the wall by virtue of the increased air and light circulation which results from the use of hanging devices according to the invention.

Use of the hanging devices according to the invention allows for convenient rearrangement of pictures or other objects from one wall mounted position to another.

This facility is very beneficial to galleries where pictures need to be moved from storage to display positions for exhibitions or the like. This facility is also a convenience factor in decorating homes or offices, or for simple rearrangement of pictures when and as may be required.

The back surface of the two component parts are backed with double-sided adhesive tape or the like, wherein one side of the tape is affixed to the back surface of the first or second component, respectively, with the outer surface of the double-sided tape being covered by a release sheet until such time as the user wishes to attach the first or second component to the wall or to the picture, respectively.

In some embodiments, either component may also have one or more holes for nails or screw to provide extra strength in the attachment of either component to the wall or to the picture.

Ideally, the double-sided tape is of a type such as that provided by '3M' or by 'Permastick', or the like which facilitates attachment to or removal from the wall/picture when required without leaving holes or blemishes. In a preferred form of the invention, the double sided adhesive tape includes finger-grip releases tabs such as those supplied by '3M' under the trade mark 'COMMAND' adhesive.

The first and second parts of the picture hanging device can be fabricated from any suitable material, but are ideally made from plastics material, such as from sheet plastic in multi-layered laminated or sandwich construction using suitable adhesives, or by injection moulding. The product can be conveniently packaged as a single unit, two component device or in multiple unit packs. The individual components may also be packaged/supplied separately.

The operation of this invention will be clearly understood from a consideration of the above description, especially with reference to the accompanying drawings, taken in connection with the above described objects of the invention.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skills in the art that a number of changes, modifications or alterations to the invention described may be made, one of which depart from the spirit of the present invention. All such changes and modifications and alterations should therefor be seen as being within the- scope of the present invention.

It should be appreciated that the present invention provides a substantial advance in wall hanging devices, providing all of the herein- described advantages without incurring any relative disadvantages.

Claims

1. A picture hanging device comprising a first part adapted for attachment to a wall, and a second part adapted for attachment to a picture to be mounted on the wall, said first and second parts including coplanar members having interfitting arcuate contact faces in each of two axially spaced apart parallel planes allowing adjustment of one said of parts relative to the other said parts about a common horizontal axis of the interfitting contact faces in each of the two planes

2. A picture hanging device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said horizontal axes are concentric for the contact faces in both planes.

3. A picture hanging device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first part includes front and rear cover plates for the coplanar member, wherein the rear cover plate is adapted for attachment to the wall, forming a receiving space or pocket between the front and rear cover plates, having an opening to said receiving space or pocket along at least a nominal upper edge of the first part, and wherein the second part includes front and rear cover plates for the coplanar member, wherein the rear cover plate is adapted for attachment to the rear surface of the picture, and wherein the front cover plate forms a depending tang member whereby when said first and second parts are conjoined together, the tang member of the second part is received and housed in the pocket of the first part to thereby secure the picture to the wall. Dated this 28th Day of January, 2000 ONE AHEAD GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO PTY LTD