GB2498759A

GB2498759A - Adjustable picture hook

Info

Publication number: GB2498759A
Application number: GB201201345A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Brian Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-27
Filing date: 2012-01-27
Publication date: 2013-07-31
Also published as: GB201201345D0

Abstract

A picture hook comprises a support member / back plate 1 adapted to be mounted to a surface and comprising at least one column of equi-spaced slots 8, and a hook part having a hook portion 2 for receiving an article to be mounted and formed with two or more resiliently mounted fingers 4a 4b adapted to engage and latch in the equi-spaced slots of the back plate, wherein the spacing of the fingers and of the slots is such that only one finger at a time is able to latch into a slot, the or each other fingers being unlatched, as the relative positions of the back plate and hook portion are varied. Also disclosed is a wire tensioner comprising a planar member with a plurality of through holes. A method of mounting an article to a wall is also disclosed.

Description

Ad justabte Picture Hook This invention relates to an adjustable picture hook.

A picture hook is a device for attaching an article such as a picture, a mirror or other article to a wall surface. The term picture hook' is intended to be used widely to cover a device for mounting any article to a wall surface.

Picture hooks are commonly used. It is often desired to be able to adjust the position of a picture or other item relative to a walled surface and with many hooks this can mean repositioning the hook. Adjustable hooks are available but these tend to be complicated or to only allow relatively large incremental adjustments.

The present invention arose in an attempt to provide an adjustable picture hook having small incremental vertical adjustments.

According to the present invention there is provided a picture hook comprising a support member adapted to be mounted to a surface and comprising at least one colunm of equi-spaced slots, and a hook part having a hook pordon for receiving an article to be mounted to a wall and formed with two or more resiliently mounted fingers adapted to engage and latch in the equi-spaced slots of the back plate, wherein the spacing of the fingers and of the slots is such that only one finger at a time is able to latch into a slot, the or each other finger being unlatched, as the relative positions of the back plate and hook portion are varied.

The spacing between the fingers is preferably out of phase by half of one pitch with the slots in the back plate such that as the hook advances relative to the back plate each finger latches alternately in the slots.

In one example, the pitch of the slots is 3mm and the pitch between the fingers is

I

10.5 mm. In some other examples, if the pitch of the slots is Xmm then the pitch between the spring fingers is 3.5 x X. Other values or ratios or relative values may of course be used.

The back plate preferably includes means for forming a track to locate and retain the hook component for sliding movement relative to the back plate. In certain embodiments, a track may be formed by two or more pressed fingers which are bent to provide a track into which the hook plate is inserted for sliding movement. These may comprise two parallel rows of pressed out fingers.

By making both the back plate and hook portion generally thin planar members, or formed from these, then the thickness of the assembled picture hook is as low as possible and thus maximum strength and holding capacity is achieved since the bending moments are minimised.

In further embodiments, the back plate may comprise two or more columns of slots, these slots in each column being displaced relative to slots in other columns, and the hook portion may comprise an equivalent number of columns (pairs) of fingers, the fingers also being displaced, and the spacing between the fingers and between columns and the spacing between the slots in each row and between columns being such that as the hook portion is moved relative to the back portion only one finger at a time is able to locate within one slot, the other fingers at any time not being located within a slot.

By having an increasing number of slot columns with a greater pitch between slots and columns of fingers, a higher mechanical strength can be achieved for supporting a greater weight.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a wire tensioning device, comprising a planar member provided with a plurality of through holes such that a wire can be positioned through at east two through holes in alternate directions so as to retain the wire in any position relative to the device for tensioning the wire.

Preferably, the tensioning device comprises at least three holes such that the wire has to lie in two respective planes with at least one 90 degree bend to anchor the wire. In a preferred embodiment, the device contains four through holes such that a wire is passed through the first hole then through a second through hole, turns at 90 degrees before passing through the third hole and turning another 90 degrees before passing back through the fourth hole where it emerges in a direction generally parallel to the entry direction.

The tensioning device is preferably of the type known as a toggle.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example offly, in which: Figure 1(a) to (g) show components of a picture book and a number of positions where the components are latched together; Figure 2(a) to U) show a further embodiment of a picture hook and some views of the hook components latched together; Figure 3 shows a latching mechanism; Figure 4 shows a tensioning device: Figure 5 shows a part sectiona' side view of a tensioning device; and Figure 6 shows schematically the mounting of a frame to a wall.

Referring to Figure 1, an embodiment of the present invention is a compact relatively inexpensive adjustaNe wall mounted hook device useaHe to mount pictures, mirrors, other decorative wall furnishings or other devices to a wall suiface. As shown in Figures 1(a) to 1(f), the hook comprises two components, a back plate 1 that is attachable to a wall by means of one or preferably more fastenings such as nails or screws, and a separate hook portion 2. Both parts are genera'ly planar, or at least formed initially by a planar metal sheet, preferably of steel. In a preferred example, the back plate is of steel and the front plate is of stainless steel, which can be more rigid and stronger than conventional mild steel. However, the components may be made of other material or may even be made of wood, plastics materials or any other matenal, including combinations of different materials.

The hook portion 2 has one end 2a which is bent upon itself by more than 900 to form a hook part 3, this has a strengthening indent parallel to the body of the hook to provide additional sectional hook strength. As shown, in a preferred example end part 2a may have a first tapered part 2b and a second elongate part 2c of reduced width compared to the main body part 2d and this part 2c is bent to form the hook. Two fingers, 4a, 4b, are formed. These are formed by cutting out generally naiow U' shaped slots Sa, Sb to form finger parts and then bending the fingers outwards at their distal ends in order to form protruding fingers 4a, 4b. These will therefore be inherently resilient due to the nature of the stainless steel material such that if they are pushed inward, towards the plan of the part 2, they will tend to spring outwards again to their original position. Thus, these provide latching members.

Hook plate 2 also includes one or more (preferably two) mounting holes 5 for receiving pins, screws or other means.

The back p'ate I is provided with two parallel rows of pressed sheared fingers 6, 7, as best shown in Figure 1(g) and (f), Figure 1(g) being a side view and Figure 1(f) being an end view. These are formed by pressing parts out of the sheet and they provide, between the fingers, a track which locates and retains the hook part 2 such that this can slide relative to the back plate. The fingers therefore provide a space S between the formed end part of the finger and the body part of back plate 1, which is of sufficient depth to accommodate the thickness of the hook component 2 a allowing it to slide between the two rows of fingers.

Positioned generally centrally between these rows of fingers are a series of longitudinally equi-spaced slots 8 positioned vertically one above the other (when the plate is mounted upon a wall). This also includes one or more attachment holes 9. In the embodiment shown, six of these are shown but any number may be provided. hi Figure 1 (the) 2 f) the two top most ones of these holes 9(a) and 9(b) are shown with nail pins, screws or other means for securing the plate ito a wall or other surface.

The spacing a between the tips of the fingers 4. and the spacing b (Figure 1(c)) between the slots is arranged so that as the hook part 2 is slid relative to the back plate I where only one finger at a time can locate within a slot. Figure 3 shows schematically how a finger fits or matches within a slot. k this figure, a finger 4, by virtue of its resilience engages with the bottom edge 8a of a slot as hook plate 2 is moved upwardly (in the figure) relative to plate I and the top edge 8b of the s'ot limits the entry of the spring finger 4 into the slot opening. It is thus relativdy easy to move plate 2 upwardly relative to plate I since the finger can resiliently move outwards from each slot but it is difficult or impossible to pull it downwardly since the finger is latched within the slot.

In one example. the pitch 16 of the back plate slots is 3mm and the pitch a' between the spring fingers 4 in the hook is 3.5 pitches x 3mm = 10.5mm. This provides that as the hook is moved upwards relative to back plate I. the spnng fingers 4a and 4b alternately latch into slots. This allows for a small increment of adjustment to be enabled (ie the position of hook 2 can be adjusted in increments of, in this case 1.5mm) and such small easy adjustment is not possible with pnor art devices.

Other ratios and dimensions may be apparent. Trial and error and simple mathematics will enable a designer to determine the pitch and size of the slots and the pitch and size of the finger which enables this alternate latching. The important part of some embodiments of the invention is that the fingers 4a, 4b latch alternately. Thus, when one finger is latched the other finger does not latch and its distal edge lies at aposition preferably half way) between two slots.

In the embodiments shown in Figure 1, there are eleven sthts although this number may be varied of course.

Figures 1(c) to f) show how the height can be adjusted. The hook part is first inserted, from below, such that it lies within the track formed by fingers 6 and 7 (Figure 1(c)). The hook part is then moved upwardly relative to the back plate until the first spring finger 4b latches into the first slot 8a (Figure 1(d)). Even in this position, it is found that if the hook is formed of stainless steel and the back plate of mild steeL a weight of up to around 20 Kg can be supported where the dimensions of the plates and hooks are as follows: length of back plate 41mm width of back plate 27mm thickness of back plate 0.7mm distance between slots 3mm width of each slot 1.5mm length of each slot 6mm spacing between rails 6 and 7. 15.3mm length of hook plate 45mm width of hook plate i5mm pitch between fingers 10.5mm ength of fingers 5.5mm width of fingers 5mm To adjust the rdative positions, the hook plate 2 may be simply slid upwardly relative to back plate I. For the first three x 3mm incremental movements, finger 4b latches into respective upwardly displayed slots and then lower finger 4a latches into the bottom most slot 8a in a position shown in Figure 1(e). At this point the incremental adjustments are 1.5mm where finger 4a is latched but finger 4b is unlatched (ie its distal lies between the slots). As more of the hook plate 2 overlies or in register with back plate 1, a greater strength and greater weight can be supported. For example, for the same apparatus as above, a weight of 20 Kg (30ths) has been supported. As hook plate 2 is continued to be adjusted by sliding relative to back plate 1. the fingers alternately latch into respective slots. By continuing to display or slide the hook relative to the back plate, first the top finger 4b then the bottom finger 4a rises above the column of slots and so the incremental range of adjustment lies from the position shown in Figure 1(d) where finger 4b lies in the bottom most slot 8a, to a position where the lowest finger 4a lies in top most slot 8b.

When the desired position is reached, nails, screws or other fittings may be inserted through one of the holes 5 in hook 2, through a respective slot and into the wall suiface to fix the position of the hook relative to the back plate and wall. This is shown, for example in Figure 1(d) where a nail N is applied through hole Sa and through one of the slots. The one of the holes 5 which lies most in register with the slot will of course be the one used for fixing and Figure 1(e) shows a position in which a lower hole Sa is more in register with one of the slots and therefore this is used for fixing.

In some embodiments, there may be more than one column of respective slots and hook fingers, for example two, three or more columns. Figure 2(a) to (0 show an embodiment in which there are two respective columns of slots and fingers. Figure 2(a), (e) and (1') show similar views to the respective views of Figure 1. Note that in this case instead of separate pressed parts 6 forming spaced rail parts, in this case a single dongate rail 60, 61 is formed down each side of back plate 70 but of course any embodiment may use a single rail, or a plurality of smaller rail parts as in Figure i, or other means for providing a track.

In this embodiment, on the back plate there are formed two columns of slots, the slots being displaced from one another as shown. There are also formed two associated columns of fingers 40,41 on the hook part. The fingers are also displaced from each other vertically (when the p'ate is its vertical disposition as it would be when mounted to a wall).

In one embodiment, the pitch 6 between slots is 8mm and each slot is of dimension 9mm wide x 4mm high. The pitch between fingers D is then 20mm in each column. Each finger may be of 10mm length L. The fingers in adjacent columns 40 and 41 are offset from each other by 2mm.

The arrangement is such that as the hook part is moved relative to the back plate, only one finger (of the four shown) latches into one slot at any time. The remaining three fingers lie in positions, preferably between the slots. Thus, a greater degree of incremental adjustment can be achieved with a larger stht and pitch with a larger number of columns providing a stronger means of mechanical support. In one example, loads of up to 60 Kg could be supported.

Figure 2(c) shows a configuration in which one of the fingers, 4lais latched within a slot and the remaining fingers 4lb, 40a and 40b lay out of slots or slightly overlapping a slot but not engaged by it (40b).

Figure 2(d) shows a position in which the hook is advanced so that the thwermost finger 41a is just disengaging from the respective slot 81a.

With a multi-column arrangement, it is preferred that one or more fixing holes 60, 61 are provided in each column and, when the desired position of the hook has been found, a nail, screw or otherwise is affixed to a fixing hole in the same column as the engaged finger, thus improving the strength.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, two through holes 60a and 60b, for example, which are longitudinally spaced. are provided in each column but this number may be varied.

A tensioning device is shown in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows a plan view of the device. A tensioner is a device for tensioning a wire and provides a means of initial adjustment for the article to be hung, this may be typically used in embodiments of the invention for mounting a picture or other apparatus to a wall, using a picture hook as described, or any other type of picture hook. A tensioner is often termed a toggle'.

The tensioner is a planar sheet, formed of metal for example and may be of generally rectangular form, perhaps having arcuate ends as shown. It comprises two through holes spaced transversely next to each other towards one end and displaced longitudinally from each of these is a further through hole. In a preferred embodiment.

each of the further through holes 90. 91 are generally elongate and both of the first through holes 92, 93 are generally circular, although any of these may be of other shapes. A further through hole 94 is provided towards the other end of the tensioner and this can be used for affixing the tensioner to a surface, for example by a nail, screw or otherwise. The sheet metal component may have a bent configuration in plan view as shown where there is an elbow 95 provided at a position between the fixing hole 94 and the tensioning holes 90 to 93. This is an optional feature, as is the precise number of tensioning holes, in some embodiments there may be only two tensioning holes (eg 92 and 90) which are then typically positioned generally centrally in the transverse direction.

The arrangement of Figure 4 is convenient in that a hanging wire, for a picture for example can be mounted through a first through hole, say 92, where it undergoes a change of direction moving from the front to the back surface and then up again through hole 90. It is bent through 90° and goes through h&e 91 and then again through hole 93 to emerge. on the same face of the tensioner as the original entry point and in a parallel direction. This is shown most clearly in Figure 6 where a tensioner is shown tensioning a wire 96 used to hang a picture 97 from a picture hook. As is shown in the exploded portion P of this figure, the wire goes in from the bottom surface, for example, up through hole 92, into s'ot 90 transversely across to slot 91 back to slot 93 through to the phase and then outwards. The wire is then held by friction where it changes direction at various faces and each of these serves to retain the wire in a stated tension.

The tensioners are mounted to the frame of the picture and are thus used to tension to wire 16 used to hang these pictures. The wire is secured to each side of the frame with nails or screws ensuring the tensioners can pivot freely in some embodiments. The wire cable is then threaded through the toggles as illustrated in the enlarged part and this locks the wire in place without having to form any knots or ties in the wire allowing for further adjustment if needed. This also prevents the wire from sliding out of the tensioner.

Adjustments to the wire to increase or decrease the tension and therefore making it tighter or looser can easily be made by simply easing the wire backwards or forwards through the holes.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. A picture hook comprising a support member adapted to be mounted to a surface and comprising at least one column of equi-spaced slots, and a hook part having a hook portion for receiving an article to be mounted to a wall and formed with two or more resiliently mounted fingers adapted to engage and latch in the equi-spaced slots of the back plate, wherein the spacing of the fingers and of the slots is such that only one finger at a time is aHe to latch into a slot, the or each other fingers being urfiatched, as the relative positions of the back plate and hook portion are varied.</claim-text> <claim-text>
2. A picture hook as claimed in Claim I, wherein the spacing between the fingers is out of phase by half of one pitch relative to the pitch of the slots in the back plate.</claim-text> <claim-text>
3. A picture hook as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2. wherein as the hook advances relative to the back plate, each finger latches alternately in the slots.</claim-text> <claim-text>
4. A picture hook as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pitch of the slots is Xmrn and the pitch of the spring fingers is 3.5 x X.
5. A picture hook as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the pitch of the s'ots is 3mm and the pitch between the fingers is 10.5mm.
6. A picture hook as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the back plate includes means for forming a track to locate and retain the hook part for sliding movement relative to the back plate.
7. A picture hook as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the track is formed by pressing components out of the sheet forming the back plate.
8. A picture hook as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the back plate comprisesItwo or more columns of s'ots and the hook comprises an equivalent number of columns of fingers, the spacing between the fingers. the spacing between the slots and the relative spacing therebetween enabling one finger at a time to be latched while the remaining fingers are unlatched as the hook part is advanced relative to the back plate.
9. A picture hook as claimed in Claim 8, wherein there are two columns of slots and two columns of fingers.
10. A picture hook as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there are two fingers.
11. A wire tensioner, comprising a planar member provided with a plurality of through holes such that a wire can be positioned through at east two holes in ahernate direction so as to hook the wire in any position relative to the tensioner or tensioning the wire.
12. A wire tensioner as claimed in Claim 11, comprising at least three slots such that the wire has to lie in two respective planes and to have at least one bend.
13. A wire tensioner as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, compnsing four through holes comprising a first transversely spaced pair of holes towards one end and a second pair of holes each longitudinally spaced from a respective one of the first holes.
14. A wire tensioner as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the first through holes are generally circular and the second through holes are generally elongate.
15. Apparatus for mounting a structure to a wall surface, comprising a picture hook as claimed in any of Claims ito 10 and at least one tensioner as claimed in any of Claims 111 to 14 and a wire.
16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, induding two tensioners.
17. A method of mounting an article to a wall, comprising mounting a respective tensioner to parts of a frame, mounting a wire between the tensioners to provide initial adjustment, mounting a picture hook to the surface, adjusting the desired relative height of the picture hook by adjusting the relative position of the hook part and back part and hanging the structure to provide final height adjustment.
18. A picture apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and illustrated by, any of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>