WO2001010274A1

WO2001010274A1 - Novel way to display art and device for same

Info

Publication number: WO2001010274A1
Application number: PCT/CA2000/000895
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harvey Kalef
Original assignee: Atelier America Inc.
Priority date: 1999-08-09
Filing date: 2000-08-03
Publication date: 2001-02-15
Also published as: AU6420600A

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of displaying an artistic image whereby the lower portion of the image projects outward relative to the upper portion so that the image is tilted upwards. This can be achieved by using a wedge device associated with the support frame.

Description

NOVEL WAY TO DISPLAY ART AND DEVICE FOR SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to ways in which art can be displayed to enhance the visual perception of the image. Particularly, it is directed to a method of displaying art such that the image is tilted upwardly and it is also directed to a device which makes possible this type of display. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Traditionally, fine art, reproductions and prints are mounted in frames and hung on walls. Hangers are typically mounted in a position such that they engage an upper part of the picture to be hung. This generally results in the upper portion of the picture being held away from the wall while the lower portion rests against the wall thereby imparting a downward rearward tilt to the image. Several different types of wall hangers can be used to hang pictures on the wall.

U.S. Patent No. 5,454,542, for example, discloses an apparatus which attaches to a wall and upon which a frame is hung. The apparatus comprises a generally planar body with a protruding support rail, alignment notches and mounting holes. The protruding support rail is adapted to be inserted within an assembly channel in a metal frame.

U.S. Patent No. 5,806,826 discloses a picture hanger which has a plate, a screw, and a moveable adjusting hook. The plate comprises wire supports through which a wire is threaded. Once mounted the height of the picture can be adjusted by pulling on the wires.

In other variations on this basic type of wall hanger, U.S. Patent No. 4,883,247 discloses a T-shaped wall hanger which has a pendulum like member associated with the T to determine the horizontal positioning of the wall mount and U.S. Patent No. 4,309,016 discloses a bow tie wall hanger arrangement where the end portions of the tie are mounted on the back of the picture to be hung.

As stated above, these types of wall hangers cause the picture to tilt downwardly. Other types of hangers have been developed with the goal of supporting a picture frame generally flush against a vertical wall.

For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,804,161 discloses a hanging device and method for hanging pictures which comprises a pair of spaced horizontally positionable prongs which are adapted to be secured to a wall. The prongs extend upwardly and outwardly from the wall and have upwardly extending points so that a variety of different types of frame moldings can be efficiently engaged to support the hanging object in a stable non-skewing position. By having the tips of the prongs project upwardly above the structure such as a bar, the object can be hung so that it is flat against a wall surface.

U.S. Patent No. 5,749,558 is also directed to a picture hanger which supports a picture flush against a vertical supporting surface. The hanger has a T-shaped plate that includes three nailing guides. A pair of cantilevered arms extend laterally outward from the plate to ensure a level orientation for the picture.

Thus, there is continued interest in developing new and improved methods for displaying pictures. One problem associated with the known methods of hanging art is that light which hits the surface of the picture is reflected at the same angle. Most pictures are displayed such that they are lit from above, whether it is by a lamp installed on top of the painting or by overhead lighting. Thus, when a picture is hung such that it is tilted downwardly, the light which hits the surface is reflected downwards toward the floor. The same is true, although to a somewhat lesser extent, when the picture is mounted flush with the wall. The present invention addresses the problem of how to display art such that light is reflected appropriately from the surface of the image to the viewer's eyes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide means for displaying art and artistic reproductions to amplify the amount of light reflected from the surface and directed toward a viewer's eyes. This is accomplished by presenting the art in a manner such that the upper portion of the image is tilted rearwardly relative to the bottom portion. This has the effect of simulating the play of light on the image that would be seen if the original had been painted using a standard artist's easel. The method and device of the present invention are applicable not only to art that is hung on walls but also to art that is presented in a free-standing format for display on a table, desk, bookshelf, etc. Throughout this specification, the term 'tilted downwardly' is used to refer to a position in which the upper portion of a picture projects outwardly relative to the lower portion. The term 'tilted upwardly' is used to refer to the position in which the lower portion of the picture projects outward relative to the upper portion. The terms 'art', 'artwork' and 'art form' are used freely and interchangeably herein to refer to original paintings, reproductions, sketches, prints, canvas transfers, framed or unframed pictures, free standing forms and the like.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of displaying an artwork comprising providing an artistic image having an upper portion and a lower portion, mounting the image on a support member, associating a wedge device with the support member and contacting the wedge device with a planar surface whereby the lower portion of the image projects outward relative to the upper portion thereby defining an angle of reflection. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided an art display system which comprises at least one support member and a wedge device for association with the support member. In a preferred embodiment the positioning of the wedge device is adjustable.

In another aspect there is provided a picture hanger comprising a wedge device and means for adjusting the position of said weαge. In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an integral artform comprising a support frame, an image mounted on the support frame, and a wedge device associated with the support frame whereby the lower portion of the image projects outward relative to the upper portion. In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a wedge device adapted to be adjustably mounted onto a picture frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described with respect to the drawings wherein: Figures 1A and IB are schematics illustrating various angles of reflection;

Figures 2 A, 2B and 2C illustrate the application of the present invention to art that is hung on a wall

Figure 3 is a side view of an art form displayed according to the present invention; and

Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C are perspective views of various alternative embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a method of displaying art which increases the reflection of light to a viewer's eyes and hence enhances the visual perception of the image. The invention is also directed to a wedge device adapted to achieve the above-mentioned effect, to framing systems which incorporate a wedge device and art forms having an integral wedge device.

Works of art are usually displayed in surroundings where they are lit from above by natural light, overhead electrical lights or a light mounted above a painting. The angle of an artist's easel takes advantage of light reflected from above. However, the use of wall hangers which protrude from a wall surface results in art being hung such that the lower portion of the image is rearward of the upper portion of the image. In other words, opposite to the angle at which an artist's easel is typically placed. At best, hangers have been developed which allow the art work to be mounted flush with a wall surface. The present invention is directed to a novel method for displaying art in which the lower portion of the image protrudes relative to the top portion. Because light travels in a straight line and the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence, the present invention achieves the surprising result of increasing the amount of light reflected from the surface. This increase in reflected light has the surprising advantage of enhancing the visual perception of the image.

Figures 1A and IB illustrate the effect on the reflection of light achieved by adjusting the angle at which a picture is mounted. In Figure 1 A, an overhead light 10 radiates light rays, indicated by arrow 12, that intersect with the surface 14 of an image mounted on a wall 16. The intersection of the radiated light 12 with the surface of the image forms an angle of incidence 18. The light is then reflected from the surface as indicated by arrow 20. The intersection of the surface 14 and the reflected light 20 forms an angle of reflection 22. The angle of incidence 16 is equal to the angle of reflection 22 and therefore the majority of the reflected light 20 is reflected to a point below the viewer's eye 24. In

Figure IB light is again radiated from an overhead light source 10 and radiated light 12 contacts the surface 14 of the image and reflected light 20 is reflected from the surface 14. In this case, however, the reflected light 20 is not directed towards the floor because the image is mounted such that the lower portion 26 is projected away from the wall relative to the upper portion 28 and since the angle of incidence 18 is equal to the angle of reflection 22 the light is reflected towards the viewer's eye 24. Because more light is reflected from the surface to the viewer's eyes, the image is viewed with greater acuity. This is particularly true for images which have surface texture since the uneven surface causes light to be reflected in a complex pattern and depth perception is enhanced as well as perception of light and shadows in the image.

Figures 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate a wedge device 30 according to the present invention associated with a picture 32 that is hung on a wall. The wedge device 30 can vary in size and can be mounted at various positions along the back of the picture to adjust the angle 34 at which the image 40 is viewed. The angle can also be varied by using wedge devices having varying innate angles of slope 36. It is clearly apparent that the same effect can be achieved whether the wedge has opposing sides which are non-parallel or parallel and the term "wedge" should be understood to encompass any device which causes the lower portion 38 of the image 40 to be projected outward relative to the upper portion 42. The position of the wedge may be adjusted based on the size of the picture, the height at which it is mounted on the wall and the location of the light source to obtain the best results. The position of the wedge can be adjusted through a variety of means. For example, a track with notches may be mounted along the back of the picture and the wedge may be adapted to slide along the track to a desired height. Alternatively the track and wedge could be fitted with holes through which a dowel could be placed to hold the wedge in a particular position. A pulley system could also be used to position the wedge and thus adjust the viewing angle of the picture. The picture may be a frameless wrap around art work where the wedge is hidden from view. Another embodiment is illustrated in Figure 3. The image 50 is mounted on a wedge shaped frame 52 to form a novel art form 54 . This art form can either be mounted on a wall or it can be free-standing. The degree of rearward tilting can be varied and the image viewing angle 56 is preferably less than 45In other words, the angle 58 formed between the image bearing front surface of the wedge 60 and the base 62 of the wedge 52 is greater than 45.

Figures 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate other preferred embodiments. As illustrated, the present invention is particularly applicable to images which are curved along a horizontal or vertical plane to enhance depth perception as described in co-pending United States Application No. 60/137,492 filed on June 4, 1999. An image 70 may be mounted on a support 72 and optionally wrapped around the sides 74 to provide a frameless art form 76. A wedge device 78 is associated, either integrally or by attachment, with the lower edge 80 of the art form 76. Preferably the wedge 78 extends along the entire lower edge 80 of the art form 76. The front surface 82 of the wedge has a greater height 84 than the rear surface 86 of the wedge 78 thereby causing the top portion 88 of the image 70 to be tilted rearwardly. The angle of tilt 90 is preferably less than 45°.

Although preferred aspects of the invention are described with respect to the drawings, it is understood that variations made be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of displaying an artistic image comprising: i) providing an artistic image having an upper portion and a lower portion; ii) mounting said image on a support member which has a wedge device associated with said frame for projecting said lower portion of said image outward relative to the upper portion.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of adjusting the position of said wedge device to alter how much the lower portion is projected outward relative to the upper portion.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said lower portion is distanced from a vertical plane so as to define an acute angle at the intersection of the upper portion of said image and the vertical plane less 45°.

4. A system for displaying art on a wall comprising: i) a support member; ii) an image mounted on said support member; and iii) a wedge device associated with said support member, whereby said image is tilted upwardly.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising means for adjusting the vertical position of said wedge device.

6. The art display system of claim 5 wherein said adjusting means comprises a track system.

7. The art display system of claim 5 wherein said adjusting means comprises a pulley system.

8. A picture hanger comprising: i) means for attaching a picture to a wall; ii) a wedge device; and iii) means for adjusting the position of said wedge on said attaching means.

9. The picture hanger of claim 8 wherein said adjusting means is a track.

10. The picture hanger of claim 9 further comprising notches in said track to hold said wedge in a desired position.

11. The picture hanger of claim 10 further comprising holes in said track and holes in said wedge adapted to fit a dowel and thereby hold said wedge in a desired position.

12. The picture hanger of claim 8 wherein said adjusting means comprises a pulley system.

13. An integral art form having an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the lower portion is projected outward relative to the upper portion.