GB2474480A - Two piece interlocking fitting for fixing and securing a frame to a wall - Google Patents

Abstract

A fitting for securing a mirror or picture frame to a wall comprises two pieces that interlock. The first piece is a domed fitting (Fig 1) which is attached to the wall with a screw passing through its centre. The inner surface of the screw creates pressure against the domed fitting inner flange forcing it to increase in size when pressure is applied. The second piece is attached the frame and is a vaulted (i.e. top-hat type) bracket/plate (Fig 2), with an oval hole to allow for sideways movement. In use, the domed fitting passes through the hole in the bracket, compressing slightly and opening out again when through the hole. The fitting can be unlocked with a wedge shaped key (Fig 4, Fig 8) that slides inside its vaulted bracket squeezing the domed fitting down in size. This enables it to fit back through the hole in the vaulted bracket. To enable easy installation the vaulted bracket is has a sharp area (B, Fig 7) protruding from it. First, the bracket is attached to the frame and then the frame with the bracket attached is offered up to the wall. The sharp area marks the wall so that the correct position for the screw for the domed fitting can be determined.

Description

Description possible readjustment to make the

picture hang square. Many are difficult PICTURE FIXING AND LOCKING to control and when hanging several DEVISE frames uniformly spaced can increase the measuring problems. There is a TECHNICAL FIELD certain need for a simple, inexpensive mechanism to lock an object on to a wall The present invention relates to a devise in a quick, easy to understand way that, for fixing and locking a wall hanging with the correct tool, can be removed such as a picture, mirror or other such again, simply and quickly.

device to a support surface. More over, this invention relates to a system and DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION method of positioning and locking the object to the chosen location on a wall, it is the object of this invention to provide a type of bracket that secures the BACKGROUND TO THE frame to a wall so as to allow no future INVENTION movement to be caused by an outside force. Thus Mirrors and picture frames are, on the preventing it's becoming misaligned.

whole, flat objects hung from walls for It is a further object of this invention to their informative functional or artistic fix the frame in such a way as to make it appeal. It is aesthetically important to secure to the wall with a locking devise.

have control over how these It is a further object of this invention to artwork/functional objects are positioned be removable by a special key.

on the wall in question. It is a further object of this invention to The fixing devices for these frames often hold the frame vertical with the allow the picture to hang at an angle supporting wall, so that the top does not away from the wall or askew from the tip away from the wall and the bottom of direct level, the frame does not make contact with the These devises focus on hanging the wall.

picture or artwork from a single anchor, It is a further object of this invention to e.g. a screw or nail fixed at a single point be easy to fit by use of its unique self on a wall. This type of mounting method marking system.

may allow the picture to inadvertently The objects of this invention are move by virtue of an outside force such achieved by attaching a half of each as a gust of wind or human contact, an bracket, the vaulted piece of the brackets accidental push or a slaniming door. to either side of the back of the frame.

Thus while the more conventional The other half, the domed section, is hanging devises may work satisfactorily attached to the wall by a screw. When for a basic wall hanging they also leave the two brackets are aligned a pressure is the frame susceptible to being brought to bear by pressing the frame misaligned and in a circumstance where against the wall, thus forcing the dome there is more public activity the ever fitting through the hole in the vaulted present threat of being easily section and its design makes it removed/stolen, impossible to pull back through this While some bracket types and their hole, thus locking the frame onto the related various mechanisms have wall.

previously proposed to reduce the The position for attaching the dome half problems with misalignment many of of the fitting to the wall is acquired by these require precise measurements and pressing the frame against the wall in the preferred position using a spirit level to Fig 8 is a view of the unlocking device J adjust to the correct angle. shown in position.

The sharp removable section attached to the vaulted fixings on the back of the DESCRIPTiON OF THE iNVENTION frame will leave scratch marks on the wall in the exact place where the two The following description is for the domed halves of the fittings should be purpose of illustrating the preferred located, embodiments of the present invention.

The domed sections are slid onto screws That the object is advantageously that are inserted in the wall at the point employed to adjustably and securely where the scratch marks are now made, support a generally flat object such as a The vaulted bracket and the frame can framed picture or mirror to a wall.

be pressed onto the wall mounted fixings Furthermore in the construction of the aligning the domes to their said fitting there is a facility to self mark corresponding holes as previously the supporting surface such as a plaster described. The pointed self marking wall. This allows for accuracy and speed segment is bent inside the vaulted of the hanging process. There is little or bracket by the screws as they enter the no need for complicated measuring hole in the vaulted bracket.. procedures and the levelling process is also greatly simplified. An example is

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE described below.

DRAWINGS In Fig 6 is shown the two piece fitting, the vaulted wall plate E and the domed These and the other features and half D. Once the two pieces have been advantages of the embodiments of this affixed to their respective surfaces the disclosure will be better explained with fitting D is passed through the fitting E the following attachments in the form of so as to lock in place. Fig 5 show a cross the following numbered drawings. section of the fitting interlocked. A no. 8 Fig 1 is an exploded view of the screw is used to hold the domed fitting construction of the domed fitting. to the wall and the other half of the Fig 2 is a plan and side view of the fitting, the vaulted half, is attached to the vaulted' fitting showing the self frame.

marking section in position. In this illustration arrows indicate the Fig 3 is a view showing the afore action of the supporting screw head will mentioned fitting in position on the have when the frame is pulled against it.

frame. The more pressure that is put on the Fig 4 is a cross-section of the complete screw head the greater the force that is fitting in position on a wall with the generated against the domed fitting. The holding screw and the release tool also angles of the countersunk screw head H in position. and the inner surface of the domed Fig 5 is a cross section in the same fitting G press and therefore slide manner as the previous yet showing how against each other creating an action to the action of the fitting with screw open further, in an outward direction, as holding devise works. indicated by the arrows in Fig 5. This Fig 6 is a front perspective view of the creates an increase in size of the domed two halves of the fitting. fitting and therefore makes it less Fig 7 is a view of the frame carrying the possible to pass back through the hole vaulted fitting being used to mark the through which it was previously wall, inserted.

The vaulted fitting is fixed to the frame the fitting. Align the two fittings as shown in FIG 3. One either side of attached to the frame the vaulted' the picture frame or mirror or similar fittings with the corresponding such item. There is no need to measure interlocking halves the domed' fittings.

to make sure that the fittings are level. If the two fittings are correctly The level device is oniy needed when positioned a gentle push against the wall the picture is placed against the support with the frame should make the fittings structure. interlock thus securing it in a permanent The level device may be a plastic tube-fashion.

like device that may further include a The method for removing the frame is housing to prevent the tube from shifting by nature of a special key' FIG 7. The whilst performing its levelling step. The key P devise is placed along the top or bottom is made to slot into the vaulted fitting M. edge of the picture whilst in its preferred The inner wedge shape of the key is position against the support structure pressed against the domed head of the ensuring the fixture is level to the dome fitting that is both screwed to the horizon. When the fluid in the levelling wall and currently fixed inside the devise aligns with the mark at its centre vaulted fitting that is itself attached to a pressure is brought to bear on the the frame.

frame at the area where the fittings are Movement of the key inwards within the placed. fitting will squeeze the dome, reducing it FIG 7 shows vaulted fitting C attached in size, thus making it able to fit back to the frame D against the support through the hole in the vaulted fitting structure B. the fitting self marking point into which it sits.

A making contact with the support structure at point B. Enough pressure will leave scratch marks on the wall at the precise position for placing the screws.

If the wall is not able to hold a screw, in a secure way, a plastic expanding plug or similar securing method may be needed.

Before placing the screw into the supporting devise/wall the domed fitting is slid onto the screw with its flat surface facing the wall. The screw is then worked into the surface until it reaches the top of the domed fitting. To enable the fitting to perform its expansion and contraction role that enables it to work efficiently the screw must then be slightly loosened. The screw must be turned anti clockwise in a motion to unscrew by half a turn thus loosening the dome just enough to allow a little movement.

The support structure is now ready to take the picture frame. FIG 2 shows the marking finger this will be pushed inwards as the screw enters the hole in

Claims (7)

1. CLAIMSI. An improved-different security fitting for holding a picture frame to a wall comprising a two piece interlocking assembly.
2. 2. The fitting simplifies the locking method of a frame to the wall.
3. 3. The fitting requires a special key to remove.
4. 4. The fitting has a self tightening method shown in fig 5.
5. 5. The fitting vaulted' section is a self marking devise that makes the positioning accurate. Fig 7.
6. 6. The fitting has an allowance for the movement necessary in stretched canvas.Thus allowing the expansion and contraction of the frame with this movement.
7. 7. The fitting movement allowance' will prevent the picture frame from becoming trapped on a fitting without suitable sideways accomadation. *I.. . . I,. .*. pp * i r *. .