GB2213717A

GB2213717A - Blind side marker

Info

Publication number: GB2213717A
Application number: GB8729923A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Stuart Elphinsto Miller
Original assignee: MILLER SHARON PATRICIA
Current assignee: MILLER SHARON PATRICIA
Priority date: 1987-12-22
Filing date: 1987-12-22
Publication date: 1989-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2007-12-22
Also published as: GB2213717B; GB8729923D0

Abstract

A marking apparatus able to provide locating marks from the blind side of articles adapted to be mounted on a vertical supporting surface by wire or cord suspension comprises an activatable marking means adapted to engage both the suspension wire or cord 6 on the article, such as a framed picture or mirror 1, and the body of the article to hold it taut. In one embodiment clip means 11 carrier fastening means which engages the lower edge of the article. Tensioning means 8 attached to the marking means 7 is fastened to the clip means and holds the marking means under tension. A picture with the marker fitted can be moved over a wall. When the desired position is found the marker is activated, for instance by pressing on the picture, and marks the wall. <IMAGE>

Description

BLiND SIDE MARKER The present invention provides a marking apparatus which enables locating marks from the blind side of articles to be made on walls and other supporting surfaces. The marks enable a hanging device to be fitted accurately on the surface.

When mounting articles on a vertical planar supporting surface using a suspension wire or cord, for example pictures or mirrors on a wall, it is necessary to make marks on the surface so that an appropriate hanging device can be fitted. The position of the hanging device is normally masked by the article when the article is hung from it so that it is difficult to find the exact position for fixing the hanging device. One method involves measuring the article and its mounting point or points after which measurements are made on the vertical surface and appropriate locating points are drawn and marked.

When pictures are to be hung using a suspension wire or cord support allowance must be made for the stretching and bending of the wire or cord. This method is time consuming and requires a degree of measurement skill that is seldom available.

When a series of illustrations or pictures are to be hung it is frequently desirable to locate pictures successively in relation to each other. In such a situation the supporting surface must be marked at points at the edges of the picture and thereafter the supporting point must be found by measurement and marked on the wall.

WO-A-80 00785 describes apparatus for positioning a hanging device so that a frame will hang in a desired location.

The apparatus consists of a strip with adhesive areas on each side. One side carries a tab which is used as a temporary support for a picture cord and. in conjunction with the adhesive surface. holds the cord under some tension. The reverse side of the strip is pressed against the wall when the desired site for the picture is found and the picture removed leaving the tab in position. A mark is then made through one of a series of apertures in the strip. The use of such apparatus is laborious and the apparatus can seldom be used more than a single time due to loss of adhesion of the strips.

The present invention provides a device which facilitates the formation of mounting marks on walls and similar surfaces. The device is simple to use and may be used repeatedly with excellent accuracy and high speed.

According to the present invention there is provided a blind side marker for an article adapted to be mounted on a vertical surface by wire or cord suspension comprising activatable marking means adapted to engage both the suspension wire or cord on the article and the body of the article to hold it taut.

There is further provided a blind side marker for an article adapted to be mounted on a vertical surface comprising activatable marking means adapted to engage the mounting means on the article at its mounting position holdng means adapted to engage the lower edge of the article and carrying fastening means, and tensioning means attached to the marking means and adapted to engage the fastening means and hold it taut.

There is also provided a method of mounting articles on vertical surfaces using the blind side markers.

The articles adapted to be mounted on a vertical surface may be pictures. posters or notices in a frame or other rigid support. mirrors. clocks. etc. The vertical support will normally be an internal or external wail. the mounting means on the articles may be a wire or cord suspension. a sawtooth bracket. a keyhole plate or other mounting aperture.

The hanging device which engages the mounting means to support the article on the vertical surface may be a hook, nail. screw or other protrusion which is rigidly fixed to the vertical surface and adapted to support the mass of the article.

The activatable marking means carries a hook or protrusion which engages the mounting means on the article. In the case of a picture with a suspension wire or cord the protrusion will engage the wire or cord and the user will usually locate it so that the engagment occurs at the centre of the wire or cord. In the case of a clock or similar item with a keyhole aperture mounting the protrusion will be inserted into the keyhole and located at the top.

The marking device will only make a mark on the supporting surface when activated so that it is possible to move the article across the surface until a desired position is reached. At this point the marking device is activated and the surface marked. The marking device can mark using a graphite or other marker, ink from a pen or pad. or by transfer from a ribbon or inked surface such as a rubber stamp. Adhesive tabs may be transferred to the surface by the marker, in the same manner as supermarket price labels, bearing a cross or similar guide mark. Activation is under the control of the user and may be made by pressing the marking device against the surface or by more complex means such as an electrically or pneumatically operated marker. in preferred embodiments the marking device is a graphite stick shielded by a metallic or plastic spring loaded mask.The latter may be in the form of a resilient leaf having an aperture which shields the marking device until pressure acts upon it. Where the marking device protrudes beyond the front of the activatable marking means this protrusion preferably carries a stabilising plate to prevent the body of the device pivotting about the point of contact between the hook and the vertical surface.

The activatable marking means may be adapted to engage the body of the article directly by having an adhesive surface on one side which is pressed against the body of the article. e.g. the back of a picture frame. so that it is reieasibly stuck to it. Alternatively the marking means may carry a hooked nylon pad which engages a cooperating pad of hooked nylon which has been stuck to the body of the article.

In the case of stretched canvas pictures an alternative embodiment is used in which the holding means is adapted to engage the body of the article at its lower edge and tensioning means attached to the activatable marking means is adapted to engage the holding means enabling the wire or cord to be held taut.

The holding means may be a clip made of a resilient material such as a springy metal or polymeric substance so that it is held in position against the article by spring tension. Alternatively the clip may be made of a rigid material fitted with clamping means such as a screw or spring clip. The side of the clip away from the supporting surface or the base or both carry fastening means. The fastening means may be a hooked nylon fur. such as that sold under the trade marks Velcro or Scotchmate . a spigot. hook eye. popper. etc. In an alternative embod iment the holding means may be a hooked nylon fur pad. such as that described for the fastening means. which is fixed by a releasable adhesive to the bottom of the article.

The tensioning means consists of a stretchable material attached to the marking means and adapted to engage the fastening means on the holding means. Preferably the tensioning means. or at least the two ends thereof. are in the form of a strap to assist location on the edges of the article. In one embodiment the tensioning means consists of a strap of fabric carrying on one side a hooked nylon fur which engages with a similar strap on the outer surface of the holding means which may be a similar strip of hooked nylon fur adhering to the bottom edge of the article.

Alternatively. when the holding means is a clip. the tensioning means can be a strap of rubber. elastic cloth or other elastomeric material with apertures to engage a spigot on the clip or eyes to engage a hook on the clip.

The tensioning means may also comprise a strap of inextensible material at each end with a spring. elastic strap or other stretchable material in the middle.

The activatable marking means used in conjunction with the holding means and tensioning means may be the same as that described earlier without an adhesive surface or with an inactivated adhesive surface. e.g. with a small hooked nylon pad placed over the pad on the marking means. An aperture. spigot or other fixing means is used to attach the tensioning means.

In the case of large pictures it is frequently necessary to use two hanging devices to carry the suspension wire. With such pictures it is necessary to use two blind side markers according to the invention. The markers are located at equal distances from the centre line of the picture and tensioned equally to simulate the hanging conditions using two hanging devices. The picture is moved over the wall.

preferably with a level on its upper suface to ensure that the upper edge is horizontal. and when the desired hanging position is found the markers are activated.

When the picture is painted on canvas stretched on a.frame and. optionally. carried by a second ornamentaI frame there is an appreciable gap between the hanging position or positions and the back of the canvas. In these circumstances a pad is placed between the marking means and the rear of the canvas to ensure that any pressure applied to the picture is transferred to the marking device. Suitable pads are prepared from rigid polymeric foam.

In a further embodiment the portion of the activatable marking means which engages the suspension wire or cord may also act as a suspension hook. After the supporting surface has been marked the activatable marking means is disengaged from the suspension wire or cord and fixed to the supportng surface by a nail or other means to act as the hanging device.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view of a picture with a blind side marker according to the invention fitted to it.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the picture with the blind side marker fitted.

Figures 3 and 4 are plan views of the front and rear surfaces of the activatable marking means of a device according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the activatable marking means of the device shown in Figures 3 and 4 on an enlarged scale.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the lower attachment clip of the device Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of the picture with an alternative embodiment of the blind side marker fitted Figure 8 is a plan view of the alternative embodiment of the blind side marker.

Figure 9 is a cross section of the alternative embodiment of the blind side marker. and Figure 10 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the blind side marker.

A framed picture 1. see Figures 1 and 2 carries two suspension eyes. 2 and 3. fixed to its frame sides 4 and 5.

A supporting wire 6. joins the eyes 2 and 3 and is firmly but loosely attached to each of them. An activatable marking means 7 engages the wire 6. The wire is held taut by means of a tensioning strap 8. attached to the marking module 7 through a slot 9. Holding means in the form of a clip 11 is fitted to bottom edge 12 of the picture 1 and the strap 8 is releasibly held against outer edge 13 of the clip 11 When assembled as shown the picture may be held by one or both hands loosely against a wall while an observer judges the appropriate position for it to be hung. When the position is satisfactory the picture is pressed against the wall so that the activatable marking means marks the wall in the correct position for the hanging device. The picture is then removed and the hanging device fixing to the wall at the marked point.The tensioning strap 8 is then released from the clip 11 and the activatable marking means 7 unhooked from the wire 6. After the clip 11 has been removed the picture 1 may be hung in the chosen position.

The activatable marking means 7 is shown in greater detail in Figures 3 and 4. The module consists of a 'Y' shaped frame 10 carrying the slot 9 at its upper end. rhe slot 9 is of sufficient width to allow a tensioning strap. not shown. to pass through it and be retained by it. The strap may be retained by sewing or clipping the end on to itself to form a loop. Alternatively the strap may. be anchored on the frame 10 by appropriate mechanical means.

The front of the frame 10. see Figure 3. carries a cylindrical protrusion 14 which forms the rear of the marker. The rear of the marker 14 protrudes from the frame 10 to which it is firmly attached by welding.

adhesive or other rigid bonding method. The protruding portion of the marker 14 carries a screw 17 which is used to retain the marking material. A hook 16. located above the rear of the marker 14. also protrudes outwardly and is adapted to engage and hold the hanging wire or cord of a picture. not shown. against the tension from a strap pulling upwardly from the slot 9.

A stabiliser plate 15 attached to the end of the protrusion 14 prevents the activatable marking means from twisting or turning when under tension. The plate 15 may be metal welded or fixed by screws or rivets to the end of the cylinder 14. Alternatively the plate 15 may be fabricated from a synthetic polymer and retained by means of an adhesive bond. The rear end 14 with the attached stabiliser 15 is in the same vertical plane as the front of the hook 16.

At the rear of the frame 10 a protecting cylinder 18 for a marking stick 19 protrudes from a bush 20 attached to the body of the frame 10. see Figure 4. The cylinder 18 is spring loaded and urged outwards so that it shields the small stick of graphite 19. The stick 19. the cylinder 18 and its mounting bush 20 are fixed to the frame 10 at such an angle that the tip of the stick 19 is located on a horizontal line above the base of the hook 16. An angle of 220 is preferred. This arrangement ensures that when the marker module is pressed against a surface the point of the stick 19 marks the surface at the exact point where the hanging cord of the picture should be suspended.

The activatable marking means is more clearly illustrated by means of a cross-sectional view. see Figure 5 across the marker module. The protecting cylinder 18 is seen to be retained within the mounting bush 20 by means of a lip 21 which engages a flange 22 on the cylinder 19. The flange 22 is urged against the lip 21 by means of a compression spring 23. The cylinder 18 protects and shields the graphite stick 19 so that the activatable marking means may rest lightly against a surface without marking it. When the outer rim of the cylinder 18 is forced against a flat surface. for instance caused by manual pressure on a picture to which the activatable marking means is attached.

it retracts into the mounting bush 20 and exposes the graphite stick 19 which marks the surface. Other marking devices may be used in place of a graphite stick such as a metal scribe or felt tip pen.

The holding means in the form of a clip. see Figure 6.

consists of a bent metal strip carrying a layer of hooked nylon fabric on the surface of at least one outer edge 13.

Preferably a second edge 25. at right angles to the first edge. also carries a layer of hooked nylon 26. The clip carries an arm 27 which engages the back of a picture and urges the front of the picture gainst the inside of the opposing edge of the clip 28. In some embodiments the bent metal strip may be dispensed with and the layer of hooked nylon fur 26 directly attached to the lower edge of the picture by means of a releasabie adhesive.

In an alternative embodiment. see Figure 7. a framed picture 1. as previously described with respect to Figures 1 and 2 carries two suspension eyes. 2 and 3. fixed to the frame sides 4 and 5. The suspension wire or cord 6. joins the eyes 2 and 3 and is firmly but loosely attached to each of them. An activatable marking means 30 engages the wire & The wire is manually tensioned and held taught by the marking means 30 which adhesively engages the rear surface of the picture 1. The marking means may be made to adhere to the picture 1 by means of an adhesive pad or my means of a hooked nylon pad which engages a similar pad adhesively fixed to the rear of the picture 1.

When assembled as shown the picture may be held by one or both hands. as described earlier in the appropriate position for it to be hung. When the position is satisfactory the picture is pressed against the wall so that the marking means is activated and marks the wall in the correct position for the hanging device. The picture is then removed and the hanging device fixing to the wall at the marked point. The activatable marking means 30 is then removed from the rear of the picture 1.

The activatable marking means 30 is shown in greater detail in Figures 8. 9 and 10. The marking means consists of a triangular frame 31 fabricated 'from a resilient and flexible synthetic polymer such as polypropylene. The upper surface of the frame 31 carries a leaf spring 32 integrally moulded with the frame. One end of the frame 31 is formed into a hook 33 which is adapted to engage and hold the hanging wire or cord of a picture in the V-shaped indentation 34, The upper portion of the hook 33 has a marker carrier 35 integrally moulded or adhesively attached to it. The marker carrier carries a marking stick 36 such as a small piece of graphite or an inked felt rod. The leaf spring 32 has an aperture 37 through which the marking stick can pass when the spring is depressed.

The lower end of the frame 31 carries a handle 38 which assists positioning the activatable marking means and applying pressure to it when marking the support surface.

The rear surface of the activatable marking means carries a layer of hooked nylon 39 or an adhesive layer.

The triangular shape of the frame 31 apart from forming a base for the adhesive layer 39 also prevents the activatable marking means from twisting when adapted by modification of the upper end of the hook 33 to engage tensioning means.

The activatable marking means may be adapted to adhesively engage the back of the picture or other article by means of a layer of hooked nylon 39 as described above. When this embodiment is used a small cooperating pad of hooked nylon must be adhesively fixed to the back of the picture to engage the layer 39 and hold it in position with sufficient strength to ensure that the suspension wire or cord can be held taut.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

l. A blind side marker for an article adapted to be mounted on a vertical surface by wire or cord suspension comprising activatable marking means adapted to engage both the suspension wire or cord on the article and the body of the article to hold it taut.

2. A blind side marker as claimed in Claim 1. in which the activatable marking means carries a hook or protrusion adapted to engage the wire or cord.

3. A blind side marker as claimed in Claims l or 2.

in which the activatable marking means is activated to mark the surface when pressed against it.

4. A blind side marker as claimed in Claim 3, in which the activatable marking means is a marking stick shielded by a spring loaded cylinder.

5. A blind side marker as claimed in any of the Claims l to 3. in which the activatable marking means is a marking stick shielded by a resilient leaf.

5. A blind side marker as claimed in Claim 4, in which the resilient leaf is moulded as an integral part of the activatable marking means.

7. A blind side marker as claimed in Claims 4 or 5, in which the marking stick is a graphite rod.

8. A blind side marker as claimed in any of the preceding Claims. in which the activatable marking means is adapted to adhesively engage the side of the article which faces the vertical surface.

9. A blind side marker as claimed in any of the preceding Claims. in which the activatable marking means carries an adhesive surface on one side.

10. A blind side marker as claimed in any of the Claims 1 to 8. in which the activatable marking means carries a layer of hooked nylon on one surface adapted to engage a pad of hooked nylon on the side of the article which faces the vertical surface.

11. A blind side marker as claimed in any of the Claims 1 to 7. which includes holding means adapted to engage the body of the article at its lower edge and tensioning means attached to the activatable marking means adapted to engage the holdng means enabling the wire or cord to be held taut.

12. A blind side marker as claimed Claim 11, in which the holding means is a clip is fabricated from a resilient material.

13. A blind side marker as claimed Claim 11. in which the holding means is a pad of hooked nylon fur adapted to be releasably held by the body of the article at its lower edge.

14. A blind side marker as claimed in any of the Claims 11 to 13. in which the tensioning means consists of a strap of stretchable material.

15. A blind side marker as claimed in any of the Claims 11 to 14. in which the tensioning means consists of a strap of material having a resilient portion.

16. A blind side marker as claimed in any of the Claims 11 to 15. in which the tensioning means and the holding means carry a layer of hooked nylon on one surface adapted to engage and form a fastening.

17. A blind side marker as claimed in Claim 12. in which the tensioning means consists of a strap of stretchable material carrying apertures adapted to engage a boss on the surface of the clip means.

18. A blind side marker as claimed in any of the Claims 11 to 17. in which the tensioning means consists of a strap having a central stretchable portion.

19. A blind side marker as claimed in Claim 18, in which the central portion is a spring.

20. A blind side marker as claimed in Claim l and as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompany- ing drawings.

21. The method of marking the hanging point for an article adapted to be mounted on a vertical surface by means of a suspension wire or cord comprising engaging the wire or cord with an activatable marking means at its mounting position and further engaging the activatable marking means with the body of the article so that the wire or cord is held taut.

22. The method of marking the hanging point for an article as claimed in Claim 21. wherein the activatable marking means is adhesively engaged to the body of the article.

23. The method of marking the hanging point for an article as claimed in Claim 21. wherein the wire or cord is engaged with the activatable marking means at its mounting position. the lower edge of the article is engaged with clip means carrying fastening means. the clip means is engaged with tensioning means attached to the activatable marking means so as to hold the wire or cord taut, and thereafter activating the marking means while the article is held against the surface.

24. Methods of marking the hanging point for articles adapted to be mounted on a vertical surface by means of a hanging cord as claimed in claim 21 and as herein described.