WO2008125862A1 - Adjustable article hanging device - Google Patents

Adjustable article hanging device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008125862A1
WO2008125862A1 PCT/GB2008/001335 GB2008001335W WO2008125862A1 WO 2008125862 A1 WO2008125862 A1 WO 2008125862A1 GB 2008001335 W GB2008001335 W GB 2008001335W WO 2008125862 A1 WO2008125862 A1 WO 2008125862A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
article
hanging device
wire
adjustable
base
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2008/001335
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Richard Green
Original Assignee
Richard Green
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Richard Green filed Critical Richard Green
Publication of WO2008125862A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008125862A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G1/00—Mirrors; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means
    • A47G1/16—Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like
    • A47G1/18—Picture loops or the like

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an adjustable hanging device. More particularly the invention relates to an adjustable article-hanging device that is arranged to be affixed to the back surface of an article such as a picture frame, mirror etc. that allows the article to be hung on a vertical surface such as a wall.
  • the invention allows adjustment of the position of the article.
  • US 2006/01214080 is one such publication, which discloses a hanging device comprising two hanging structures spared apart from each other, each which require to be mounted on a wall.
  • the location of the picture supporting wire here is adjusted between each of the structured by turning either one or more knobs.
  • WO03/032784 discloses an assembly having a base mounted to a wall.
  • the base comprises a movable wheel so that the wheel is capable of being moved along the base.
  • the picture wire is attached to a mounting knob on the wheel and adjustment of the picture supporting wire is possible by turning the knob.
  • US 2003/032784 discloses an assembly similar to WO03/032784 above, except that the knob is replaced by a hook rotatably coupled to a wheel.
  • the above prior art documents require the hanging structures to fixed to a wall in order to hang a picture.
  • the usual practice is to fix the hanging devices on the wall at the same horizontal level. This horizontal orientation may be checked using a spirit level.
  • the problem faced here is that the individual picture wires for each picture may not be of the exact same length, and therefore even though the fixtures on the wall may be at the same level the individual pictures may end up being hung at different levels.
  • the present invention however, attempts to provide fine adjustments of the picture wire by tightening the picture wire, thereby adjusting its length. There is no need to adjust the position of any hanging structure provided on the wall. Also, since the present invention relates to a device that is attached to the picture frame rather that the wall, it is not necessary that the hanging structure on the wall is required to be an adjustable one. The invention can be used to hang pictures at the same level on a wall using conventional picture nails as well.
  • the invention provides an adjustable article-hanging device comprising a base arranged to be connected to the back surface of an article to be hung on a vertical structure, said base comprising a gripping mechanism for receiving a wire for hanging the article, said gripping mechanism provided for adjusting the position of the article, said device further comprising an adjusting mechanism provided for making fine adjustments of the orientation of the article by adjusting the length or mounting position of a wire provided for hanging the article on the vertical structure.
  • Figure l(a) shows the front view of the adjustable hanging device according to a first aspect of the invention.
  • Figure 1 (b) shows a cross sectional view of the invention taking along the side of the device shown in figure l(a).
  • Figure 2(a) shows the front view of the adjustable hanging device according to a second aspect of the invention, mounted on the back surface of an article.
  • Figure 2(b) shows the adjusting mechanism of the devices shown in figure 2(a).
  • the invention comprises of a base (1) , which is suitable for attaching with the back of an article (6), which is to be hung.
  • a base (1) which is suitable for attaching with the back of an article (6), which is to be hung.
  • the base may be capable of being fixed to the frame using conventional screws for affixing the base.
  • An adhesive strip may also be provided on the back surface of the base.
  • the base (1) is provided with a gripping mechanism (2) to receive the article wire (7).
  • the front surface of the base (1) is provided with toothed sections, the edges of which form the gripping means (2). There are preferably two toothed sections spaced parallel to each other at a uniform distance.
  • the base (1) and the toothed edges can be made out of a suitable material such as any metal or plastic. The choice of the material is largely dependant of the weight of the article that is to be hung.
  • a plate (3) made of any suitable material as mentioned above, is arranged to be movably attached to the base (1).
  • the toothed edges are capable of gripping this plate (3) in such a manner that the plate can be moved along the length of the toothed edges. This movement allow for adjustment of the position of the article or frame on the vertical surface or a wall. These edges also serve to prevent the plate from slipping away from the base.
  • the plate is provided with a thumbwheel (4a) capable of rotational movement.
  • a ring (4b) provided for holding a wire for hanging the article is placed on the thumbwheel.
  • Both, the thumbwheel and the ring provide a mechanism for tightening the wire (7), thereby providing for fine adjustments in the orientation of the article against the wall. These adjustments are done by holding the ring and rotating the thumbwheel, thereby adjusting the length of the article wire.
  • An end of the wire that is provided for hanging the article is capable of being attached to the ring (4b), which is placed on the thumbwheel (4a).
  • One or more of such adjustable-hanging device as described by the present invention can be provided on the back surface of the article. Therefore it is possible for a second end of the wire to be attached to the ring of a second hanging device attached to the back surface of the same article. This provides the option of adjusting the length of the wire in one of the devices for adjusting to orientation of the picture, and it also provides the option of adjusting the second device as well if even finer adjustment is required.
  • Figure l(b) shows a sectional view of the device according to the first embodiments shown in figure l(a).
  • the adjustable hanging device is envisaged as being provided on one side of the back surface of the article (6), with one end of the article's wire (7) attached to the device. The other end of the wire (7) is fixed on the opposite side of the back surface of the article (6). Adjustment to the article's wire (7) is triggered by the user operating the device from one side of the back surface of the article (6).
  • the device according to this embodiment also includes a gripping means to receive the article's wire (7).
  • this gripping means comprises a ratchet arrangement (5 a) arranged to be operated by a spring loaded mechanism (5b).
  • the spring-loaded mechanism may be in the form of a pivoting finger structure such as a pawl, which engages with the ratchet arrangement (5a).
  • This spring loaded -mechanism (5b) is arranged to control the motion of the ratchet (5a), to which one end of the wire (7) is attached, thereby allowing tightening of the wire (7).
  • a user can operate the spring-loaded mechanism (5b) by depressing the same, thereby allowing motion of the ratchet, which would in turn adjust the length of the article's wire (7).
  • the ratchet arrangement may be capable of linear or rotational movement in a direction. Such an arrangement provides an intermittent motion allowing fine adjustments to the wire (7).
  • the gripping means of the this embodiment is not restricted to being a ratchet and pawl arrangement.
  • Other forms of gripping mechanisms may also be used.
  • a worm drive mechanism that is capable of being operated by a driving means such as a screwdriver or an alien key from one side, can also be used to provide adjustments to the wire.
  • a driving means such as a screwdriver or an alien key from one side
  • FIG. 2(b) An example of this alternate arrangement is seen in figure 2(b).
  • one end of the article's wire (7) is attached to a spool.
  • the worm drive mechanism is arranged rotate the spool, thereby tightening or relaxing the wire (7).
  • fine adjustment to the article wire is done by moving the base of the hanging device in an upward or downward direction, thereby changing the mounting position of the article wire with respect to the back of the article, rather than adjusting the length of the wire as described above, in the first and second embodiment.
  • the thumbwheel or the worm drive mechanism may be turned as described in the first embodiment. If it is desired that the location of the wires is to be raised or lowered, the base may be moved vertically up or down as in the alternate embodiment. More than one type of adjustment may be done on the same device. Therefore a combination of the arrangements identified in the above described embodiments may be present on a single article.
  • the invention allows the article to be hung on any available nail in a position already existing in a wall. This is because fine adjustments to the orientation of the article is done by adjusting the length of the article wire itself, rather than moving the position of the fixtures on the wall that received the article wire.

Landscapes

  • Mirrors, Picture Frames, Photograph Stands, And Related Fastening Devices (AREA)
  • Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides an adjustable article-hanging device, which is arranged to be affixed to the back surface of an article that is required to be hung on a wall. The invention comprises a base, which can be connected to the back surface of the article. The base comprises a griping mechanism for receiving a wire to hang the article. The invention provides for adjustment of the orientation of the article by adjusting the length or mounting position of the wire.

Description

Adjustable article hanging device
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adjustable hanging device. More particularly the invention relates to an adjustable article-hanging device that is arranged to be affixed to the back surface of an article such as a picture frame, mirror etc. that allows the article to be hung on a vertical surface such as a wall. The invention allows adjustment of the position of the article.
Background of the Invention
There are a variety of existing adjustable picture hanging devises that allows for fine adjustments of the location of the picture and the location of the picture wire so that orientation of the picture with respect to a wall can be manipulated. These devices all have the common feature of having one or more structures that is required to be mounted on a wall or any other vertical surface.
US 2006/01214080 is one such publication, which discloses a hanging device comprising two hanging structures spared apart from each other, each which require to be mounted on a wall. The location of the picture supporting wire here is adjusted between each of the structured by turning either one or more knobs.
WO03/032784 discloses an assembly having a base mounted to a wall. The base comprises a movable wheel so that the wheel is capable of being moved along the base. The picture wire is attached to a mounting knob on the wheel and adjustment of the picture supporting wire is possible by turning the knob.
US 2003/032784 discloses an assembly similar to WO03/032784 above, except that the knob is replaced by a hook rotatably coupled to a wheel. The above prior art documents require the hanging structures to fixed to a wall in order to hang a picture. In such cases, when a situation exists wherein two or more pictures are needed to be hung at the same level on the wall, the usual practice is to fix the hanging devices on the wall at the same horizontal level. This horizontal orientation may be checked using a spirit level. The problem faced here is that the individual picture wires for each picture may not be of the exact same length, and therefore even though the fixtures on the wall may be at the same level the individual pictures may end up being hung at different levels.
The above-mentioned prior art documents attempt to handle this issue by providing a mechanism on the attached fixtures that allows the location of picture wire that is received by the fixed hanging structure to be changed. Therefore adjustment of the picture wire location is done by adjustment of certain mechanisms in the hanging device, which is fixed to the wall so that the picture can be mounted at the same horizontal level.
The present invention however, attempts to provide fine adjustments of the picture wire by tightening the picture wire, thereby adjusting its length. There is no need to adjust the position of any hanging structure provided on the wall. Also, since the present invention relates to a device that is attached to the picture frame rather that the wall, it is not necessary that the hanging structure on the wall is required to be an adjustable one. The invention can be used to hang pictures at the same level on a wall using conventional picture nails as well.
Summary of the Invention
In a first aspect the invention provides an adjustable article-hanging device comprising a base arranged to be connected to the back surface of an article to be hung on a vertical structure, said base comprising a gripping mechanism for receiving a wire for hanging the article, said gripping mechanism provided for adjusting the position of the article, said device further comprising an adjusting mechanism provided for making fine adjustments of the orientation of the article by adjusting the length or mounting position of a wire provided for hanging the article on the vertical structure. Brief description of the drawings
Figure l(a) shows the front view of the adjustable hanging device according to a first aspect of the invention.
Figure 1 (b) shows a cross sectional view of the invention taking along the side of the device shown in figure l(a).
Figure 2(a) shows the front view of the adjustable hanging device according to a second aspect of the invention, mounted on the back surface of an article.
Figure 2(b) shows the adjusting mechanism of the devices shown in figure 2(a).
Detailed description of the invention
In order that the present invention be more readily understood, the invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
In a first embodiment depicted in figure 1 (a), the invention comprises of a base (1) , which is suitable for attaching with the back of an article (6), which is to be hung. This could be the back of a picture frame or the back or a mirror etc. that needs to be hung on a wall. In this embodiment, the base may be capable of being fixed to the frame using conventional screws for affixing the base. An adhesive strip may also be provided on the back surface of the base. The base (1) is provided with a gripping mechanism (2) to receive the article wire (7). In this embodiment, it is envisaged that the front surface of the base (1) is provided with toothed sections, the edges of which form the gripping means (2). There are preferably two toothed sections spaced parallel to each other at a uniform distance.
The base (1) and the toothed edges can be made out of a suitable material such as any metal or plastic. The choice of the material is largely dependant of the weight of the article that is to be hung. A plate (3) made of any suitable material as mentioned above, is arranged to be movably attached to the base (1). The toothed edges are capable of gripping this plate (3) in such a manner that the plate can be moved along the length of the toothed edges. This movement allow for adjustment of the position of the article or frame on the vertical surface or a wall. These edges also serve to prevent the plate from slipping away from the base.
The plate is provided with a thumbwheel (4a) capable of rotational movement. A ring (4b) provided for holding a wire for hanging the article is placed on the thumbwheel. Both, the thumbwheel and the ring provide a mechanism for tightening the wire (7), thereby providing for fine adjustments in the orientation of the article against the wall. These adjustments are done by holding the ring and rotating the thumbwheel, thereby adjusting the length of the article wire.
An end of the wire that is provided for hanging the article is capable of being attached to the ring (4b), which is placed on the thumbwheel (4a). One or more of such adjustable-hanging device as described by the present invention can be provided on the back surface of the article. Therefore it is possible for a second end of the wire to be attached to the ring of a second hanging device attached to the back surface of the same article. This provides the option of adjusting the length of the wire in one of the devices for adjusting to orientation of the picture, and it also provides the option of adjusting the second device as well if even finer adjustment is required.
Figure l(b) shows a sectional view of the device according to the first embodiments shown in figure l(a).
In a second embodiment shown in figure 2(a), the adjustable hanging device is envisaged as being provided on one side of the back surface of the article (6), with one end of the article's wire (7) attached to the device. The other end of the wire (7) is fixed on the opposite side of the back surface of the article (6). Adjustment to the article's wire (7) is triggered by the user operating the device from one side of the back surface of the article (6). As with the first embodiment, the device according to this embodiment also includes a gripping means to receive the article's wire (7). In the second embodiment, this gripping means comprises a ratchet arrangement (5 a) arranged to be operated by a spring loaded mechanism (5b). The spring-loaded mechanism may be in the form of a pivoting finger structure such as a pawl, which engages with the ratchet arrangement (5a). This spring loaded -mechanism (5b) is arranged to control the motion of the ratchet (5a), to which one end of the wire (7) is attached, thereby allowing tightening of the wire (7). A user can operate the spring-loaded mechanism (5b) by depressing the same, thereby allowing motion of the ratchet, which would in turn adjust the length of the article's wire (7). The ratchet arrangement may be capable of linear or rotational movement in a direction. Such an arrangement provides an intermittent motion allowing fine adjustments to the wire (7).
It will be appreciated that the gripping means of the this embodiment is not restricted to being a ratchet and pawl arrangement. Other forms of gripping mechanisms may also be used. For example, a worm drive mechanism that is capable of being operated by a driving means such as a screwdriver or an alien key from one side, can also be used to provide adjustments to the wire. An example of this alternate arrangement is seen in figure 2(b). In this case, one end of the article's wire (7) is attached to a spool. On operation, the worm drive mechanism is arranged rotate the spool, thereby tightening or relaxing the wire (7).
It is to be noted that the present invention is not considered as being restricted to the embodiments depicted in the accompanying figures. Alternate embodiments of invention may be provided with a base that is capable of movement along the back of the article. This movement may be done by affixing a runner on the back of the article to receive the base.
Therefore in this further embodiment fine adjustment to the article wire is done by moving the base of the hanging device in an upward or downward direction, thereby changing the mounting position of the article wire with respect to the back of the article, rather than adjusting the length of the wire as described above, in the first and second embodiment.
If it is desired that the length of the wire is to be adjusted, then the thumbwheel or the worm drive mechanism may be turned as described in the first embodiment. If it is desired that the location of the wires is to be raised or lowered, the base may be moved vertically up or down as in the alternate embodiment. More than one type of adjustment may be done on the same device. Therefore a combination of the arrangements identified in the above described embodiments may be present on a single article.
The invention allows the article to be hung on any available nail in a position already existing in a wall. This is because fine adjustments to the orientation of the article is done by adjusting the length of the article wire itself, rather than moving the position of the fixtures on the wall that received the article wire.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. An adjustable article-hanging device comprising a base (1) arranged to be connected to the back surface of an article (6) to be hung on a vertical structure, said base comprising a gripping means (2) arranged for receiving a wire (7) for hanging the article (6), said means (2) provided for adjusting the position of the article (6), said device further comprising a mechanism provided for fine adjustments of the orientation of the article(6) by adjusting the length or mounting position of the wire (7) provided for hanging the article (6) on the vertical structure.
2. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gripping means (2) is arranged to grip a plate (3) that receives said wire (7), said plate (3) being capable of movement along the gripping means (2).
3. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein the gripping means (2) comprises a pair of toothed edges placed on the front of the base (1) , said edges spaced apart from each other by a uniform distance.
4. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base is affixed to the back surface of the article.
5. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claims 2 to 4 wherein said mechanism is a tightening mechanism attached to the plate (2) on the base(l) of the device.
6. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tightening mechanism comprises a thumbwheel (4a) capable of rotational movement, said thumbwheel being provided with a ring (4b) for receiving an end of the wire (7) to hang the article (7), said ring (4b) being provided to turn the thumbwheel (4a) for a required adjustment.
7. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claims 5 and 6 o 5 wherein the tightening mechanism provides adjustment of the length of the wire (7).
8. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprises a ratchet arrangement (5a) to which one end of the wire (7) is attached, said arrangement (5 a) being operated by a spring-controlled mechanism (5b).
9. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the ratchet arrangement (5 a) is capable of rotational motion when operated by the spring-controlled mechanism (5b).
10. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 8 wherein operation of said ratchet arrangement (5b) provides adjustment to the length of the attached wire (7) .
11. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said spring- controlled mechanism (5b) is triggered by a user.
12. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said spring- controlled mechanism (5b) comprises a pawl.
13. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mechanism comprises means for providing vertical movement if the base (1).
14. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the mechanism provides adjustment of the position of the wire (7).
15. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wire (7) is capable of being hung on any nail affixed on the vertical structure.
16. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the article to be hung on the vertical structure is a picture frame.
17. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the article to be hung on the vertical surface is a mirror.
18. The adjustable-hanging device as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or more or said device are capable of being attached to the back surface of the article.
19. The adjustable article-hanging device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vertical structure is a wall.
PCT/GB2008/001335 2007-04-16 2008-04-16 Adjustable article hanging device WO2008125862A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0707380.2 2007-04-16
GB0707380A GB0707380D0 (en) 2007-04-16 2007-04-16 Adjustable article hanging device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008125862A1 true WO2008125862A1 (en) 2008-10-23

Family

ID=38116861

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2008/001335 WO2008125862A1 (en) 2007-04-16 2008-04-16 Adjustable article hanging device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB0707380D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2008125862A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB191327071A (en) * 1913-11-25 1914-12-10 Renault Courtney Acutt An Improved Apparatus for Suspending Pictures, Plaques, and other Articles on Walls.
DE436682C (en) * 1926-11-05 Otto Koehler In the horizontal and vertical adjustable, consisting of two parts attached to each other, picture eyelet
FR2343454A1 (en) * 1976-03-12 1977-10-07 Level Line Products Adjustable picture hook unit - includes two strips movable relative to each other with teeth on vertical strip
US5695147A (en) * 1994-10-25 1997-12-09 Zimmerman; Harry I. Length controller for flexible line and method of use
WO2006091176A1 (en) * 2005-02-22 2006-08-31 Robert Wayne Keith Picture frame hanging device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE436682C (en) * 1926-11-05 Otto Koehler In the horizontal and vertical adjustable, consisting of two parts attached to each other, picture eyelet
GB191327071A (en) * 1913-11-25 1914-12-10 Renault Courtney Acutt An Improved Apparatus for Suspending Pictures, Plaques, and other Articles on Walls.
FR2343454A1 (en) * 1976-03-12 1977-10-07 Level Line Products Adjustable picture hook unit - includes two strips movable relative to each other with teeth on vertical strip
US5695147A (en) * 1994-10-25 1997-12-09 Zimmerman; Harry I. Length controller for flexible line and method of use
WO2006091176A1 (en) * 2005-02-22 2006-08-31 Robert Wayne Keith Picture frame hanging device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0707380D0 (en) 2007-05-23

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