GB2373287A

GB2373287A - Fixing peg

Info

Publication number: GB2373287A
Application number: GB0106352A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Taylor Story
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-14
Filing date: 2001-03-14
Publication date: 2002-09-18
Also published as: GB0106352D0

Abstract

A fixing peg (e.g. for hanging pictures or notices on walls) may have independent separate fixing pins B9 or a ganged (inter-dependent) assembly of fixing pins or integrally formed fixing pins 16 which may be knocked into a wide range of mounting surfaces. Further separate fixings may be inserted through available clearance holes 12. The fixing peg's grip and stability on a wall or other surface may be reinforced by one or more adhesive pads 15. A tongue 14, B7 projecting forwards and upwards from the fixing peg's length creates a V-shaped profile which grips a line on which a hanging object may be suspended so that the object cannot then move from its intended position without further intervention and deliberate detachment and uplifting.

Description

Shake-Resistant Fixing Peg This invention relates to a device which combines the functions of a wallmounted hook and a secure fixing peg.

The term FIXING HOOK refers to those devices by which variously pictures, displays, notices or other objects (OBJECTS) are loosely suspended from (that is to say balanced upon rather than positively affixed to) a wall or other surface typically via a cord, wire or similar line (LINE). The LINE may or may not be slung so as to be concealed behind the OBJECT.

A FIXING HOOK may have one or more clearance holes provided in case fixings are preferred which may use wall-plugs, wood-screws or the like.

Alternatively and typically a FIXING HOOK may be secured to the wall by one or more separately provided steel pins (usually pre-hardened to some degree). Each fixing pin is individually driven home, typically by more than one hammer blow, relying for mounting effectiveness upon: either long (e. g. 25mm) fixing pins which consequent upon their length may deform when driven into certain types of wall surface, viz. into thin or hard plaster underlays and/or into surfaces other than plaster; or shorter fixing pins (e. g. 6mm projecting) which are less likely to deform but are easily pulled away inadvertently from the wall surface, since a shorter pin has reduced resistance to sideways leverage. The mechanical bond between such a pin and the wall is typically uncomplicated and easily loosened.

Furthermore nothing in the essential nature of a conventional FIXING HOOK prevents the OBJECT from slewing after installation, should any chance disturbance create a leverage causing a LINE slippage relative to the FIXING HOOK, so that the OBJECT then hangs at an unintended angle.

According to the present invention there is provided a SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG first which comprises a rigid or a spring-characteristic pressing or moulding from which either a number of projecting pins may be formed or through which pins may be driven so as to affix the pressing or moulding firmly to a wall-like or flat surface, secondly, with means for employing additional or alternative wall-fixing methods such as screws, thirdly, with means for adding or substituting separate (possibly longer) fixing pins, fourthly, with means for suspending from an acutely angled tongue formed on that same pressing or moulding a LINE-appended OBJECT which once wedged by the above mentioned acute angle remains fixed accurately against and cannot be shaken loose from that LINE (the selected position nevertheless being adjustable conveniently when the LINE is deliberately lifted and slid sideways), fifthly optionally, with means for stabilising the pressing or moulding against disturbance while mounting the OBJECT (for example, the pressing or moulding being provided with one or more adhesive pads on the same side as the pins and/or where fixing pins are provided close to the base of the tongue), sixthly optionally, with means for resisting unintentional disturbance during mounting of the OBJECT whereby fixing pins formed or inserted at a slightly acute angle to the pressing or moulding tend to grip the mounting surface with increased tension if pulled downwards or outwards, seventhly where the above fixing pins may be a single multiple-pin assembly, the pins of which may thus be driven home as one and thus separable from the rest of the FIXING PEG eighthly with means so that if a number of fixing pins are intended to be struck home separately they may nevertheless be offered up to the wall in a conveniently ganged assembly.

Two specific embodiments of the invention are both now described by way of example only in which: Figures 1 and 4 show SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEGS in outline as they would be seen when mounted flat against a wall.

Figures 2 and Sa are third angle side views of SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEGS and Figure 5b turns a flexible grommet/gasket through a further 90'"ion order to show its three restraint perforations.

Figures 3 and 6 are third angle views of SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEGS from above. Figures 1 to 3 show one possible embodiment of a SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG comprising a thin steel pressing 10, generally flat but pressformed as follows. A convenient number of pins 11 is provided, cut-outs for which are marked 16 in Figure 1. The pins themselves, as shown by the examples marked 11, may be formed at an angle of slightly less than a true 90 relative to pressing 10. The pins may also be wave-formed or shaped in a number of possible ways not specifically drawn-out here so as to increase interference with and adhesion to the wall material. One or more cuts-outs 12 may provide clearance holes for additional mounting screws or pins. A tongue 14 is formed on the pressing 10 on the opposite side to pins 11 so as to project upwards and slightly forwards as drawn. Also adhesive pads 15 are provided on the same side of pressing 10 as pins 11.

As an example of use a SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG is positioned against a suitable surface and orientated as shown in Figure 2. Thereupon all of the pins 11 may be simultaneously tapped home with a light hammer. As a result the spring steel will flex and the fixing pins'slight differential from a true right angle (and/or the wall's tendency to straighten out a wavelike pin profile) will react against the temper of the steel. This creates a tension which holds the pins more firmly in position once they are driven home. This spring tension offsets any forward pull which may need to be withstood, e. g. as an OBJECT is straightened into its preferred position while being manoeuvred along the LINE length, or if an OBJECT such as a key-ring is regularly removed and replaced.

The SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG must also withstand side-to-side pull as the OBJECT's orientation and alignment are adjusted. Adhesive pads 15 may therefore be provided to hold pressing 10 firmly during LINE adjustment.

Once a still separately supported OBJECT has been slid along the LINE to an acceptable position, then the LINE may be allowed to take the full weight of the OBJECT whereupon friction between LINE and the tongue of the SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG is greatly increased so that the LINE is gripped firmly thereby and thereafter.

If preferred longer masonry pins can be driven home via holes 16 and one or more of the pins 11 may be broken off if this is thought convenient.

By way of one further example Figures 4 to 6a and 6b show a second realisation of a SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG. This comprises an initially flat mild steel plate B4, subsequently press-formed with a protruding tongue B7 at the lower end and the upper part turned over and back forward then further back on itself in a sectionally triangular form B8. This triangular form acts as a frame supporting a number of masonry pins which (through holes Bl to B3 in the SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG) are driven into a wall or other surface. It is a crucial point that these masonry pins are angled by form B8 at rather less than 90'to the horizontal. This creates a tension which even in mild steel is enough to hold the FIXING PEG the more firmly against either torsion or pull as changes are made or attempted in OBJECT or LINE positions. One or more larger clearance holes B6 are further provided, for example, for one or more additional fixing screws. Adhesive pads may be used to help secure this SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG to the wall, but are not shown in this example. A further grommet-or gasket-like device B5 may be used to encircle and hold temporarily to the fixing pins of this embodiment before these are offered up to the intended wall surface.

As a example of use this second embodiment of a SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG is positioned against a suitable surface and orientated as shown in Figures 4 and 5a. Thereupon two or more separate pins B9 may be tapped home successively with a light hammer through apertures B1 to B3.

This simple-sounding operation is likely however to have the complication that it may be awkward to hold everything stable and in readiness without something falling or swivelling unexpectedly. Accordingly this second embodiment of the invention may make use of a grommet or gasket which poses some predictable resistance via the three narrow perforations in the grommet/gasket. The resultant interference-fit onto the two (or more) fixing pins B9 makes the SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG complete and stable enough for mounting.

Alternatively to a grommet/gasket the invention may make use of multipronged hardened metal pin-combination which can be hammered easily and in reliable consort direct into the mounting surface.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG comprising first either a firm or a spring-characteristic pressing or moulding from which or through which a number of pins project as the means of affixing the pressing or moulding firmly to a wall-like surface, secondly with means for enabling additional or alternative screw fixings to the wall surface, thirdly with means for adding or substituting shorter or longer fixing pins if desired, fourthly with means for suspending from a tongue on that same pressing or moulding a LINE-appended OBJECT which is then fixable accurately and unslippably (the selected position on that LINE nevertheless being adjustable easily and at will whenever the LINE is deliberately lifted and shifted), fifthly with means for stabilising the pressing or moulding against disturbance of location while mounting the OBJECT, the pressing or moulding being provided if necessary with one or more adhesive pads on the same side as the pins, sixthly with means for resisting unintentional disturbance of location during mounting of the OBJECT whereby fixing pins formed or lying at not quite a right angle to the pressing or moulding tend to grip the mounting surface with increased tension if pulled downwards or outwards, seventhly where the fixing pins form a multiple-pin assembly which may be driven home simultaeously, whether the fixing pins are integral with or a secondary detachable part of the SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG eighthly with means whereby any fixing pins intended to be struck home separately may nevertheless be offered up to the wall in a conveniently linked assembly.
2. A SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the means of affixing the device to the wall may either integral with the means of attaching and securing the LINE, or may involve the use of separate masonry pins.
3. A SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein pre-hardened fixing pins are provided separately or integrally having pin lengths suitable for use on walls of various thicknesses and hardnesses.
4. A SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the holes resulting from the formation of any integral fixing pins secondarily create clearance holes of progressively adaptable size which may serve as mounting holes in case longer or extra masonry pins are called for.
5. A SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the fixing pins are set at a slightly acute angle or at divergent angles in order to make the device less liable to be pulled unintentionally from the wall.
6. A SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the material used may have a spring characteristic and/or the fixing pins be formed wavelike in order to make the device less liable to be pulled unintentionally from the wall.
7 A SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 or Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein a tongue is formed so as to protrude at a slight angle upwards and forwards away from the wall or fixing surface.
8. A SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 or Claim 5 or Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein a tongue protruding as in Claim 7 will hold both OBJECT and LINE unslippably in place since the tongue's pinch grip on the LINE increases proportionately with the weight of the OBJECT.
9. A SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 or Claim 5 or Claim 6 or Claim 7 or Claim 8, whereon one or more adhesive strips may be provided on the same side as the fixing pins and/or where fixing pins are provided close to the base of the tongue so as to prevent any swivel effect or upwards or outwards pull which might loosen the hook.
10. A SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG as claimed in any preceding claim, whereon two or more holes are provided through which masonry pins or the like may be inserted to affix the FIXING PEG to the wall or other surface.
11. A SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a multiple-pronged combination of metal pins may be used instead of separate masonry pins and the like.
12. A SHAKE-RESISTANT FIXING PEG substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-3 or Figures 4-6b of the accompanying drawing.