US3868086A

US3868086A - Wall hanger

Info

Publication number: US3868086A
Application number: US400662A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Kanof Tendler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-03-16
Filing date: 1973-09-25
Publication date: 1975-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-25

Abstract

There is disclosed the use of a continuous strip of adhesive tape narrowed on itself at a central region thereof as a hanger for supporting pictures and the like in conjunction with a picture hook and a protrusion from a wall. The central portion is elongated to facilitate adjustment of the picture on the wall, and in this embodiment is overwound with a strand for structural integrity and ease of manufacture. This system has more mechanical stability than pure double-back adhesive hangers and does not have the disadvantage of adhesive strips provided with eyelets which preclude balancing the picture.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Tendler [4 1 Feb. 25, 1975 1 WALL HANGER [21] Appl. No.: 400,662

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 235,174, March 16,

1972, Pat. No. 3,788,558.

[52] U.S. Cl 248/467, 16/125, 248/498 [51] Int. Cl. A47g 1/24, A471 7/14 [58] Field of Search 16/114 B, 125; 229/52 A, 229/52 AC, 52 AL; 248/498, 467

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 297,586 4/1884 Edison 16/125 UX 1,519,610 12/1924 Franz 229/52 AL X 2,021,788 11/1935 Janowitz 229/52 A 3,031,359 4/1962 Blank et al. 229/52 AL 3,250,562 5/1966 Frasure et al 229/52 A X 3,298,655 1/1967 Palm 248/498 3,801,012 4/1974 Thelen- 229/52 AL X D101,658 10/1936 Weber 16/125 UX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 775,124 10/1934 France 229/52 AL 187,902 11/1922 Great Britain 16/125 Primary ExaminerD0nald A. Griffin [57] ABSTRACT There is disclosed the use of a continuous strip of adhesive tape narrowed on itself at a central region thereof as a hanger for supporting pictures and the like in conjunction with a picture hook and a protrusion from a wall. The central portion is elongated to facilitate adjustment of the picture on the wall, and in this embodiment is overwound with a strand for structural integrity and ease of manufacture. This system has more mechanical stability than pure double-back adhesive hangers and does not have the disadvantage of adhesive strips provided with eyelets which preclude balancing the picture.

22 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures F TAPE, I5

HOOK, [6

2| ADHESIVE SIDE, 20

V Fig. 2

HOOK l6 TAPE l5 ADHESIVE SIDE, 2O

WUNTING BOARD, ll

Fig. 3

L .4 so

, Fig. 4

Fig. 5

PATENTED FEB? 51975 3, 868 O 8 6' sum 3 g 5 Fig. 7

WALL HANGER REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation in-part of application Ser. No. 235,174 entitled Wall Hanger, filed Mar. 16, 1972 now US. Pat. No. 3,788,558 issued Jan. 29, 1974.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method and apparatus for hanging pictures and the like and more particularly to a hanger comprising a continuous strip of adhesive tape narrowed, collapsed or twisted on itself at a central region, with the ends of the tape adapted to adhere to the structure which is to be mounted. The portion of this tape which is narrowed on itself is made to lie in a re gion midway between the sides of the structure to be mounted on the wall and is engaged by a hook or a protrusion from the wall to permit hanging.

In the past there have been several methods of mounting pictures to walls involving adhesive members. Most recent of these involves the use of a double sticky back tape. Depending on the tape used, pictures or posters mounted in this manner eventually either become disengaged from the wall or stick to the wall in such a manner thatremoval is made extremely difficult without damaging the wall or the picture. It will be appreciated in this type of adhesive mounting structure, that accurate centering is required since adjustment after the structure is mounted is difficult. In addition, there is no mechanical connection between the hanged structure and the wall such as would be provided by a protrusion from the wall such as a picture hook or nail.

Another common adhesive type picture hanging structure is shown in U.S. Pat. 2,647,71 l issued to J. M. Margulis on Aug. 4,1953. In this method an adhesive strip is attached to the structure to be mounted. The adhesive strip is provided with an eyelet through which a metal hook attached to a further adhesive strip protrudes. The metal eyelet provides structural strength against tearing of the tape when the hole in the tape is slipped over the hook. It will be appreciated that this type of mounting mechanism suffers from the same defeet as the first mentioned mounting method in that proper centering and balancing is required when the adhesive strip is placed on the structure to be mounted. strip no easy means of adjustment is provided once the stri is in place.

In contrast to these two methods of mounting structures on a wall, the subject system involves a continuous adhesive tape which is either narrowed or twisted on itself at a central region. This central region is elongated and is adapted to engage a hook or protrusion on the wall. The elongated portion serves much the same function as the traditional wire used in picture hanging, in that adjustment of the picture on the wall is accomplished by changing the fulcrum by sliding the hook along the elongated portion. In contrast to conventional wire techniques, no screws, nails or other protruding means need be attached to a picture to support a wire. Further, in the subject invention, structural strength is added to the tape by the twisting of the tape on itself so that no additional apparatus such as wire, string or the like is required. Additionally, the manufacture of such a hanging device is extremely simple in that all that is necessary is to form tape with adhesive on one side and then to twist the adhesive tape on itself at a given region. It will be appreciated that there are no metal parts necessary to complicate the manufacturing process. Although initially it might seem that tape used in this manner would come off of the structure to be mounted, it has been found that this particular method and apparatus holds heavy structures in place on a wall for considerable lengths of time. Although this particular mounting system was adapted primarily for mounting picture board of a light weight nature to a wall, it has been found that due to the availability of strong tear resistant and extremely adherent tapes, structures of considerable weight may be mounted in this manner. Part of the explanation of the success of this mounting system is due to the combination of a mechanical-adhesive mounting system in which a hook is mechanically and fixedly attached to the wall while the mounting tape is adhesively mounted on the structure to be hanged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide apparatus for hanging a structure on a wall including a piece of continuous tape narrowed on itself in a central region which tape is mounted on the structure to be supported, the central region of the tape being adapted to engage a hook or protrusion from the wall.

It is another object of this invention to provide the combination of a hook mechanically mounted on a wall and a continuous piece of adhesive tape adapted to be affixed to the structure to be mounted on the wall,

vwhich tape is twisted on itself in a central region.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a method for hanging a structure on a wall comprising the steps of taking a continuous piece of adhesive tape and twisting it on itself so to form a central region and adhering the tape to the structure to be supported on the wall.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a method for mounting a structure to a wall comprising the steps of twisting an adhesive tape on itself so as to form a central region, affixing the adhesive tape to the structure to be mounted, affixing a mechanical protrusion to the wall, and placing the central twisted portion of the tape over the protrusion.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for hanging a structure on a wall including a piece of continuous tape narrowed on itself in a central region which is overlaid with material for increasing the structural integrity of the central region and permitting ease of manufacture.

Other objects of the invention will be better understood from the accompanying specification, drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagramatic representation showing a picture hung on a wall showing'the mounting apparatus in dotted outline;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the tape utilized as the mounting means, showing the tape twisted on itself so as to form a central region and showing the engagement of a hook with the central region, which hook may be moved in a lateral direction so as to permit balancing of the picture on the wall;

FIG. 3 is a top view, of the structure to be mounted to a wall showing in side view the tape and the hook utilized in mounting the structureto the wall;

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodimentof tape con figuration in which a narrow central portion is formed and in which the transition-from the narrow central curve;

portion to a wider portion is made in a continuous,

FIG. 5 is afurther embodiment showings tapecom figuration in which biaxial integral supporting strips are mounting apparatus; 7 g

' FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the use of biaxially oriented separate pieces of tape which may be used to support the structure to be mounted.

7 provided to add strength to the tape portionof the w ial forceias hereinbefore definedtdoes not cause the I tape to rip or tear Nor does the force result in a shear force ofsuch a magnitude soas to cause the tape to separate from the structureto be mounted. It willbe therefore appreciated that acontinuoustapetwisted on f t itself in and. of itself,; withoutimechanical or metal bracesis sufficient along tobe; used with a hookasshown In FIGJZ. r

' ,Itwill be apparent that theadhesive qualitiesof the tape as well asthe width or the tape" and the material of which the tape is made willmaterially determinelthe weightof thestructure which can be mounted in this manner. Itis however well within the state of the art to FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the central .portionof the V tape helically wound with a strand;

FIG. 8 is a'diagram showing a twisted central tape portion overwound with a strand;

- FIG. 9 is a diagramshowing a narrowed central tape,

portion overwound with a strand; and

FIG. 10 is a partial cross sectional diagram showing 7 a central tubular portion overlaid with a coating layer. DETAILED. DESCRIPTIONOF TI-IE INVENTION Referring to FIG. I, there is shown a pictureIO mountedon a mounting board ll which is fixedly at utilize tape to support structures of "considerable weight. Examples of such tapes aresho wn'in U.S. Pat.

Nos." 2,647,71] issued Aug. 4, I953 and 3,294,355 is sued Dec. '27, 1966.

In general, tapes suited for this application fall into three categories: pressurese'nsitive, water-activated,.

andheat-sensitive. The pressure-sensitive tapes generally'use rubber base or ac rylicadhesives, on backing. j materials such as acctatc, cellophane, polyester, vinyl, cloth and paper. Theseqtapesmay bereinforced as in u f r the case of acetate andpolyester backing materials by tached to a wall shownby the, referencecharacter ll, The adhesive tape mounting apparatus is shown in dotted outline by continuous tapelSrA hook isshown at 16 to be mechanically attachedto thewall'. The structure 11 is supported by the engagement of the hook" with a central portion 17 of the continuous tape 15 which central portion is a portion of the tape twisted on itself. As illustrated in FIG. 2 in one form the central portion is a helically wound generally cylindrical porusing fiber reinforcing materials such as rayonor glassr.

Thewaterractivated tapes usually use paper or cloth backing materials incombination with'animal or vegetable glues includingcasein and starch. These tapesare wetted prior to applying the tape to. the. back'of a pic- I ture The heat-sensitive tapes are made from the thermosetting ,type resins which need only heat to cure.

Heat-sensitive tapes are in general made from polyes tion which may be made to adhere to itself for strength as described hereinafter. The term adhesive tape as used hereinrefers generally to pressuresensitive tapes,

water-activated, tapes and heat-sensitive tapes. Inaddi 7 tion, thisterm includes any tape whichadheres to, the r structureto be supported. I Referring now to FIG. 2, the tape and hook combinahesive side is the same at either end of the central re- V gion:l7 so as to adhere to the structure to be supported.

As can be seen from the doubleended'arrow 2l, .the hook 16 can bemoved laterally so as to provide the I proper fulcrum for, the hanging structure thereby facilitating easy alignment for balancingof a picture one wall.

7 From FIG. 2 it will be seen-that thetorce of the hook on the tape is shown by the arrow 25 to be in an upward direction. This direction is biaxial to the length of the continuous tape. It will be appreciated that in many of the prior art handles for structures, tape is utilized in which the force on the handle is along the axis of the tape and not in a biaxial direction as shown in FIG. 2. For the purposes of this description, biaxial refers to a direction in the plane of the tape perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tape. Thus aforce perpendicular to the plane of the paper on which FIG. 2 is drawn would be excluded from the term biaxial. One advantage of the subject approach lies in the fact that a biaxter, epoxy, or phenolic base materials in which the tape is ironed on to the picture. In the first type of tape men tioned, the pressure-sensitive adhesive adds to the strengthof the central twisted region once the tape with the adhesive istwistedxln' the lattertwo types of tape, the centraltwisted region maybe made to adhere to itself prior to use,--by-applying either water or'heat to thecentral region. This'addsthe stren'gthof the ad hesive to the inherentstrength of the twisted tape. Under most loading conditions, this. additional strengthening is not necessary. In anycase, the tape backing andadhesivje is chosen to be adequate for the load supported. Obviously, adhesive also includes glue I I V and epoxy resins ,which may be appliedto the tape just I prior to mounting. Further; any combination of the above tape backingsand adhesives are withinthe scope of this invention. 1 r

Referring now to -FIG. 3,the top'viewof the subject apparatus is shown in which the mounting board llis connected to. the hook I6 bythe tape 15 formed inthe manner described. It will be appreciated that: the

mounting boardcanbe balanced by moving the book 16 along the central portion 17 of 1 the .tapelS].

F rom'the foregoing it willbe appreciated thatthere are many types andwidths of tape which will be suitable depending upon the weight and consistency of the structure to be mounted adjacent the wall. The system thus far described relies on both mechanical and adhesive properties used in combination so as to support the structures of relatively great weight as compared to those supportable by hangers having solely adhesivebacked coacting members.

There are however other configurations of the tape which when twisted upon itself will provide for even greater mechanical stability of the mounting.

in combination I In one embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the tape is made extremely wide except for a central portion 32 having a length denoted by the character L. This figure shows the tape prior to being twisted on itself so as to from the central region 17 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In this embodiment there is a first width of tape denoted by the symbol W which is the major portion of the tape to adhere to the structure to be mounted. The central region 32 is to be formed by the narrow portion of the tape 15 designated by character W It will be appreciated from this figure that the transition between the width W and the width W, is continuous as shown by the continuous lines 30. The continuity of these lines prevents shear forces from tearing the tape once the picture is hung.

If additional support is required, the tape may be configured as shown in FIG. 5. In this case, the tape 15 is provided with two biaxial strips 35 at right angles to the tape prior to its being twisted on itself. Assuming the tape to be of a quality which does not easily tear, the right angles between the tabs 35 and the tape body will not be a factor in the failure of a system utilizing this type of tape. Again it is the length L of the tape which is to be twisted on itself to provide the central region.

In one further embodiment once the tape is in place on the structure to be mounted on the wall, additional tape strips 40 may be placed over the tape in a position shown so as to provide increased mechanical stability of the mounting system.

It will, however, be appreciated that the strips 40 need not be used in a large variety of cases where the structure to be mounted to the wall is relatively light. Such would be in the case in photographic mounting board or poster board as it is sometimes called. It is a relatively simple packaging matter to provide a package in which the far ends of the tape can be detached from the majority of the tape so as to provide for the cross pieces 40 as shown in FIG. 6.

There has therefore been provided an extremely easy and inexpensive method and apparatus for mounting structures to a wall or vertically extending structure. The major factors which permit such an easy mounting are the structural strength of the tape twisted on itself re tearing and also the uncommon resistance of the tape to pulling away when a biaxial force as described hereinbefore is applied to the tape. Further, the central twisted portion of the tape can be made to adhere to itself to provide for increased strength. There should also be considered the ease of centering and balancing provided by the method and apparatus described which is unlike adhesive systems in the prior art. It will be appreciated that tape twisted on itself could be dispensed from a roll in much the same way as cellophane or adhesive tape is dispensed, with a cutting portion of the dispenser serving to separate the individual pieces of tape necessary for each mounting application.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-10 an alternative embodiment is illustrated in which the narrowed portion of the tape isoverlaid, overwrapped or coated with a material which aids in the structural integrity or stability of the central portion. This type construction also simplifies manufacture since the narrowing of the tape at the central portion can be accomplished at the wrapping stage.

In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7, the already formed hanger 50 is provided with a helically wound strand 51 which surrounds a generally cylindrical portion 52 formed in any of a variety of ways as will appear hereinafter. As can be seen, tape flat portions 53 adjacent central cylindrical portion 52 are free of the strand, although the strand ends may be embedded therein if desired.

Strand 51 may be adhesively attached to the central portion, either by precoating the strands with a suitable adhesive, or by saturating the strands after winding.

The central cylindrical portion 52 may be formed in a variety of ways. For instance, the tape may be twisted on itself as in FIG. 8 to form a central core, with strand 51 overlaying the core. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 9 the tape may simply be collapsed on itself in its central region and an overlying material supplied to aid in structural stability and integrity as well as maintaining the narrowed central region in a generally cylindrical configuration.

It will be appreciated, that from a generic point of view strand 51 is an overlying material.

In FIG. 10 the central portion 52 is overlaid with either a coating or cylindrical member 54 which maintains the structural integrity of the central core. Member 54 can be a coating, a cylinder crimped or adhesively attached into place, or any member which surrounds the core whether or not adhesively attached hereto.

Thus the embodiments of FIGS. 7l0, in addition to having all the advantages of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6 also permit certain economies of manufacture in that the tape can be collapsed or narrowed on itself, with or without an outer winding to provide structural integrity to the hanger.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A wall hanger comprising: a strip of tape narrowed on itself in an elongated central region thereof to form a generally cylindrical structure, flexible means overlying said generally cylindrical structure for maintaining the cylindrical shape thereof and to facilitate centering said tape having generally flat portions on either side of said central region adapted to be adhesively affixed to a structure to be mounted on said wall, said central portion being free of said structure and adapted to be engaged at different points along the length thereof by a protrusion from said wall to facilitate the hanging of said structure and adjustment of said structure on said wall.

2. The wall hanger as recited in claim 1 wherein said overlying means is a helically wound strand.

3. The wall hanger as recited in claim 2 wherein said strand is adhesively bound to said generally cylindrical structure.

4. The wall hanger as recited in claim 1 wherein said tape is twisted on itself in said central region.

5. The wall hanger as recited in claim I wherein said tape is helically twisted on itself in said central region.

6. The wall hanger as recited in claim 1 wherein said overlying means is a sheathlike member.

7. In a system for mounting pictures on a wall in which said wall carries a protruding member, means for mounting a picture to said wall comprising, a piece of adhesive tape twisted on itself in a central portion and adapted to be affixed to the back of said picture such that when said picture is hung on said protruding memher by means of engagement between said central portionand said protruding member, a biaxial force is applied to said tape, said picture being aligned with said wall by changing the point of engagement between said protruding member and said central portion, whereby a stable adhesive-mechanical mounting system is provided 8. In a system for mounting a member on a vertically extending structure and for aligning said member with i said structure, in which said vertically extending structure includesa protrusion thereform, a continuous tape twisted on itself in a central region and fixedly attached to said member on opposite sides of said central region, said tape being adhesive to said member,central region adapted to engage said protrusion at a point along the length thereof so as to mount said member on said vertically extending structure, adjustment of said member being accomplished by changing the point along said central portion engaged by said protrusion, said central region being overlaid with means for maintaining the integrity thereof. r

9. The apparatus recited in claim 8 wherein said means overlying said central portion is a helically.

wound strand.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 9 wherein said strand is adhesively bound to said central portion.

11. Apparatus for mounting rigid wall hangings to a wall comprising in combination,a member adapted to protrude from said wall, and a piece of adhesive tape narrowed on itself at a central portion thereof and affixed to the back of said wall hanging such that adhesive portions of said tape on either side of said central portion contact the back of said wall hanging, said tape running horizontally, with said central portion adapted to engage said protruding member, a biaxial force being applied to said tape when said wall hanging is hung from said protruding member, said wall hanging beingaligned with said wall by changing the point of engagement between said protruding memberand said central portion, whereby a stable adhesive-mechanical mounting system is provided with centering and balancing a function of the length of said central portion and the pointof engagement between said central por tion and said protruding member, and further including a strand helically wound around said central portion to maintain the integrity thereof. 7

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said strand is adhesively attached to said central portion.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said tape includes biaxial portions on either side of saidcentral portionsaidbiaxial portionsbeing adhesive to the back of said wall hanging for additional support thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim lll wherein said tape is wider outwardly of the central portion of saidtape.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the transition from narrow to wide portions of said tape is continu:

16.The apparatus of claim 11 and further including in combination therewith separate biaxial adhesive strips positioned on either side of said central portion; 7 said strips adhering to said tape and to portions of the I back of said picture immediately adjacent said tape.

17.,A method for hanging a structure on a wall comprising, affixing a protrusion to said wall, providinga tape having a narrowed central position, overwinding said central portion with a strand, affixing the ends of said tape adjacent said overwound central portion to the back ofsaid structure, and hanging said structure on said wall with said overwound central portion engaging said protrusion.

18. A method for hanging a structure on a wall comprising, affixing a protrusion.to saidwall, providing a tape having a narrowed'central portion, overlying saidcentral portion with a flexible structural support means, adhesively affixing the ends of said tape .adja-. cent said central portion tothe back of said structure, and hanging said structure on said wall with said central portion engaging said protrusion.

19. The method as recited in claim 18 wherein the ends of said tape are overlaid with biaxial'strips which adhesively. fastening theiends of said elongated'member V to said wall, providing centeringmeans including an.

elongated member with a flexibleintermediate portion,

tothe back. of said structure while leaving said intermediate portion free of said'structure, and hanging said structure on said wall'with said. intermediate portion engaging said protrusion.

V =l l

Claims

1. A wall hanger comprising: a strip of tape narrowed on itself in an elongated central region thereof to form a generally cylindrical structure, flexible means overlying said generally cylindrical structure for maintaining the cylindrical shape thereof and to facilitate centering said tape having generally flat portions on either side of said central region adapted to be adhesively affixed to a structure to be mounted on said wall, said central portion being free of said structure and adapted to be engaged at different points along the length thereof by a protrusion from said wall to facilitate the hanging of said structure and adjustment of said structure on said wall.

5. The wall hanger as recited in claim 1 wherein said tape is helically twisted on itself in said central region.

7. In a system for mounting pictures on a wall in which said wall carries a protruding member, means for mounting a picture to said wall comprising, a piece of adhesive tape twisted on itself in a central portion and adapted to be affixed to the back of said picture such that when said picture is hung on said protruding member by means of engagement between said central portion and said protruding member, a biaxial force is applied to said tape, said picture being aligned with said wall by changing the point of engagement between said protruding member and said central portion, whereby a stable adhesive-mechanical mounting system is provided

8. In a system for mounting a member on a vertically extending structure and for aligning said member with said structure, in which said vertically extending structure includes a protrusion thereform, a continuous tape twisted on itself in a central region and fixedly attached to said member on opposite sides of said central region, said tape being adhesive to said member, central region adapted to engage said protrusion at a point along the length thereof so as to mount said member on said vertically extending structure, adjustment of said member being accomplished by changing the point along said central portion engaged by said protrusion, said central region being overlaid with means for maintaining the integrity thereof.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 8 wherein said means overlying said central portion is a helically wound strand.

11. Apparatus for mounting rigid wall hangings to a wall comprising in combination, a member adapted to protrude from said wall, and a piece of adhesive tape narrowed on itself at a central portion thereof and affixed to the back of said wall hanging such that adhesive portions of said tape on either side of said central portion contact the back of said wall hanging, said tape running horizontally, with said central portion adapted to engage said protruding member, a biaxial force being applied to said tape when said wall hanging is hung from said protruding member, said wall hanging being aligned with said wall by changing the point of engagement between said protruding member and said central portion, whereby a stable adhesive-mechanical mounting system is provided with centering and balancing a function of the length of said central portion and the point of engagement between said central portion and said protruding mEmber, and further including a strand helically wound around said central portion to maintain the integrity thereof.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said tape includes biaxial portions on either side of said central portion said biaxial portions being adhesive to the back of said wall hanging for additional support thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said tape is wider outwardly of the central portion of said tape.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the transition from narrow to wide portions of said tape is continuous.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 and further including in combination therewith separate biaxial adhesive strips positioned on either side of said central portion, said strips adhering to said tape and to portions of the back of said picture immediately adjacent said tape.

17. A method for hanging a structure on a wall comprising, affixing a protrusion to said wall, providing a tape having a narrowed central position, overwinding said central portion with a strand, affixing the ends of said tape adjacent said overwound central portion to the back of said structure, and hanging said structure on said wall with said overwound central portion engaging said protrusion.

18. A method for hanging a structure on a wall comprising, affixing a protrusion to said wall, providing a tape having a narrowed central portion, overlying said-central portion with a flexible structural support means, adhesively affixing the ends of said tape adjacent said central portion to the back of said structure, and hanging said structure on said wall with said central portion engaging said protrusion.

19. The method as recited in claim 18 wherein the ends of said tape are overlaid with biaxial strips which adhere to said tape and the back of said structure.

20. The method as recited in claim 18 and further including the step of dispensing said tape from a roll.

21. The method as recited in claim 20 and further including cutting said tape from said roll with a serated edge cutting bar and a shearing action prior to affixing the ends of the tape to the back of said structure.

22. A method for hanging and centering a structure on a wall comprising the steps of affixing a protrusion to said wall, providing centering means including an elongated member with a flexible intermediate portion, adhesively fastening the ends of said elongated member to the back of said structure while leaving said intermediate portion free of said structure, and hanging said structure on said wall with said intermediate portion engaging said protrusion.