US20060054771A1

US20060054771A1 - Level hanger device for pictures or the like

Info

Publication number: US20060054771A1
Application number: US10/939,101
Authority: US
Inventors: Chien Lie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-13
Filing date: 2004-09-13
Publication date: 2006-03-16

Abstract

A level hanger device includes a plate for attaching to a supporting surface and having a curved channel to define a bottommost area and to slidably receive a ball, and a transparent cover attached onto the plate, to enclose the curved channel of the plate and to slidably retain the ball within the curved channel of the plate, and to prevent the ball from being disengaged from the curved channel of the plate, and for allowing the ball to be seen through the transparent cover. The plate may be determined as located in a horizontal position when the ball is stably positioned in the bottommost area of the curved channel of the plate, to readily support the object on the plate at the horizontal position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a level hanger device, and more particularly to a level hanger device having a leveling structure for suitably supporting objects, such as picture frames, mirrors, or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typically, various objects, such as picture frames, mirrors, or the like are required to attach or mount a support or hanger or the like, for allowing the objects to be attached onto the walls, and/or for allowing the objects to be adjusted relative to the walls to different tilting or angular position.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,448,024 to Brizgis discloses one of the support devices for supporting picture frames or the like, and comprises a horizontal arm and one or more struts adjustably coupled to the horizontal arm, to adjustably securing the picture frame to the walls. However, Brizgis has no leveling device to suitably attach the picture frame to the walls at horizontal or leveling positions.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,401,241 to Grobholz discloses another typical picture frame having a U-shaped wire easel frame for supporting the picture frame on table top or the like. However, Grobholz also has no leveling device to suitably attach the picture frame to the supporting surfaces at horizontal or leveling positions.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,641,427 to Krogh discloses a further typical picture frame hanger having a flat and elongated support strip solidly fixed to the picture frame, and the elongated support strip includes a series of longitudinally spaced notches or serrations for attaching or hanging onto shoulders of screws, and thus for allowing the picture frame to be easily attached onto walls or the like. However, Krogh also has no leveling device to suitably attach the picture frame to the supporting surfaces at horizontal or leveling positions.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional hanger devices for picture frames, mirrors, or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a level hanger device including a leveling structure for suitably supporting objects, such as picture frames, mirrors, or the like, and for easily and readily attaching or supporting the picture frames, the mirrors, or the like to the supporting surfaces or walls at horizontal or leveling positions.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a level hanger device for supporting an object, the level hanger device comprising a plate for attaching to a supporting surface, the plate including a curved channel formed therein and curved downwardly to define a bottommost area, a ball slidably received in the curved channel of the plate, and a transparent cover attached onto the plate, to cover and to enclose the curved channel of the plate, and to slidably retain the ball within the curved channel of the plate, and to prevent the ball from being disengaged from the curved channel of the plate, and for allowing the ball to be seen through the transparent cover. The plate may be determined as located in a horizontal position when the ball is stably positioned in the bottommost area of the curved channel of the plate, to readily support the object on the plate at the horizontal position.
The plate includes at least one orifice formed therein, for receiving a fastener which secures the plate to the supporting surface. The plate includes a number of ribs extended into the orifice thereof and spaced away from each other, to form a number of slots between the ribs, the fastener is engaged with the ribs, to solidly secure the plate to the supporting surface.
The plate includes an extension extended therefrom, for hanging and supporting the object on the plate. The extension of the plate is preferably extended inclinedly and forwardly and upwardly from the plate. The plate includes at least one curved protrusion extended therefrom, for engaging with and for positioning the object on the plate.
The plate includes a cap secured onto rear portion thereof, to cover the curved channel of the plate, and to slidably retain the ball within the curved channel of the plate, and to prevent the ball from being disengaged from the rear portion of the curved channel of the plate.
The plate includes at least one aperture formed therein, the cap includes a peg extended therefrom and engaged into the aperture of the plate, to anchor the cap to the plate. The plate may further include at least one adhesive member attached to rear portion thereof, for adhering the plate to the supporting surface.
Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a level hanger device in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the level hanger device;
FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view illustrating the operation of the level hanger device for attaching or for supporting an object, such as a picture frame, a mirror, or the like; and
FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating the attachment of the other object or picture frame or mirror to the level hanger device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a level hanger device 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises a hanger body or plate 11 including one or more, such as two orifices 12 formed therein, particularly formed in the sides thereof, for receiving or engaging with fasteners 80 which may secure the plate 11 onto the walls 90 (FIGS. 3, 4) or the like.
It is preferable that the plate 11 includes a number of ribs 13 extended into each of the orifices 12 thereof and spaced away from each other, to form a number of slots 14 between the ribs 13. The fasteners 80 may be threaded or engaged with the ribs 13, to solidly secure or attach the plate 11 onto the walls 90 or other supporting surfaces or the like.
The plate 11 includes a curved channel 15 formed therein, such as formed in the middle portion thereof, and curved downwardly to form or define a bottommost point or area 16, and to slidably receive a ball 20 therein. The plate 11 includes one or more, such as two apertures 17 formed therein, particularly formed and located beside the curved channel 15 thereof.
A transparent or semi-transparent cover 21 may be attached or secured onto the front portion of the plate 11, to cover or enclose the curved channel 15 of the plate 11, and to slidably retain the ball 20 within the curved channel 15 of the plate 11, and thus to prevent the ball 20 from being disengaged from the curved channel 15 of the plate 11, and also for allowing the ball 20 to be seen through the transparent or semi-transparent cover 21.
A board or cap 22 may further be provided and secured onto the rear portion of the plate 11, to cover or shield the curved channel 15 of the plate 11, and to slidably retain the ball 20 within the curved channel 15 of the plate 11, and thus to prevent the ball 20 from being disengaged from the rear portion of the curved channel 15 of the plate 11. The cap 22 may include one or more, such as two pegs 23 extended therefrom and engaged into the apertures 17 of the plate 11, to anchor or secure the cap 22 to the plate 11.
It is to be noted that the cap 22 may also be formed integral with the plate 11 when the plate 11 is formed or manufactured with such as molding or mold-injection process, and the curved channel 15 may also be formed within the plate 11 when the plate 11 is formed or manufactured. The plate 11 may further include one or more, such as two adhesive members 24 attached to the rear portion thereof, for adhering the plate 11 to the walls 90.
The plate 11 includes an extension 18 and one or more, such as two forwardly projected or curved protrusions 19 extended therefrom, such as extended inclinedly or forwardly and upwardly therefrom, for hanging and/or for supporting various objects 91, such as picture frames 91, mirrors, or the like.
In operation, when the plate 11 is secured onto the walls 90 with such as the fasteners 80, the ball 20 may be seen through the transparent or semi-transparent cover 21, and may be used to determine whether the plate 11 has been suitably attached or mounted onto the supporting surfaces or walls 90 at horizontal or leveling positions or not.
For example, when the ball 20 is seen to be stably located or positioned in the bottommost point or area 16 of the curved channel 15 of the plate 11, then the plate 11 may be determined to have been suitably attached or mounted onto the supporting surfaces or walls 90 at the horizontal or leveling positions.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the objects or the picture frames 91 or mirrors or the like may include a hook 93 attached to the rear portion thereof for easily and readily hooking to the extension 18 of the plate 11, in which the plate 11 has been determined to be suitably attached or mounted onto the supporting surfaces or walls 90 at the horizontal or leveling positions with the ball 20.
In addition, the forwardly projected or curved protrusions 19 may also be used to engage with the objects 91, to further suitably or stably support the objects or the picture frames 91 on the plate 11 at the horizontal or leveling positions.
Accordingly, the level hanger device in accordance with the present invention includes a leveling structure for suitably supporting objects, such as picture frames, mirrors, or the like, and for easily and readily attaching or supporting the picture frames, the mirrors, or the like to the supporting surfaces or walls at horizontal or leveling positions.
Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A level hanger device for supporting an object, said level hanger device comprising:

a plate for attaching to a supporting surface, said plate including a curved channel formed therein and curved downwardly to define a bottommost area,

a ball slidably received in said curved channel of said plate, and

a transparent cover attached onto said plate, to cover and to enclose said curved channel of said plate, and to slidably retain said ball within said curved channel of said plate, and to prevent said ball from being disengaged from said curved channel of said plate, and for allowing said ball to be seen through said transparent cover, said plate being determined as located in a horizontal position when said ball is stably positioned in said bottommost area of said curved channel of said plate, to readily support the object on said plate at the horizontal position.

2. The level hanger device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate includes at least one orifice formed therein, for receiving a fastener which secures said plate to said supporting surface.

3. The level hanger device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plate includes a plurality of ribs extended into said at least one orifice thereof and spaced away from each other, to form a plurality of slots between said ribs, said fastener is engaged with said ribs, to solidly secure said plate to said supporting surface.

4. The level hanger device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate includes an extension extended therefrom, for hanging and supporting the object on said plate.

5. The level hanger device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said extension of said plate is extended inclinedly and forwardly and upwardly from said plate.

6. The level hanger device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate includes at least one curved protrusion extended therefrom, for engaging with and for positioning the object on said plate.

7. The level hanger device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate includes a cap secured onto rear portion thereof, to cover said curved channel of said plate, and to slidably retain said ball within said curved channel of said plate, and to prevent said ball from being disengaged from said rear portion of said curved channel of said plate.

8. The level hanger device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said plate includes at least one aperture formed therein, said cap includes a peg extended therefrom and engaged into said at least one aperture of said plate, to anchor said cap to said plate.

9. The level hanger device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate includes at least one adhesive member attached to rear portion thereof, for adhering said plate to the supporting surface.