WO2021219651A1

WO2021219651A1 - Hanging device

Info

Publication number: WO2021219651A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/061005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wisam SIRHAN
Original assignee: Sirhan Wisam
Priority date: 2020-04-27
Filing date: 2021-04-27
Publication date: 2021-11-04
Also published as: GB202006150D0

Abstract

Herein disclosed is a hanging device (1) for hanging an object on a surface. The hanging device (1) comprises: a first mount part 2 for attaching to the surface, the first mount part (1) having a first curved engagement surface (4); and a second mount part (3) for attaching to the object, the second mount part 3 having a second curved engagement surface (5). The first curved engagement surface (4) and the second curved engagement surface (5) are engagable with each other. When the first curved engagement surface 4 and the second curved engagement surface 5 are engaged with each other, the first mount part 2 and the second mount part 3 are movable relative to each other between a stable position and a non-stable position. Herein disclosed is also a method of hanging an object on a surface. This may be performed using the aforementioned hanging device (1).

Description

HANGING DEVICE

The invention relates to a hanging device for hanging an object on a surface, such as a wall, and a method of hanging an object on a surface using a hanging device.

It is often desired to hang an object, such as a picture, on a surface, such as a wall. However, sometimes hanging can be tricky and/or fiddly and problems may be faced with mounting the picture at the correct orientation, e.g. straight.

Often an object is hung on a wall by a piece of string being provided across the back of the object. In this case the object is hung by hooking the string on a nail or screw that is fixed into the wall. With such an arrangement it can be difficult to get the object at the desired orientation and the object may be moved into an undesired orientation such as during cleaning of the object such that time has to be spent putting the object back to the desired orientation. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a hanging device for hanging an object on a surface, the hanging device comprising: a first mount part for attaching to the surface, the first mount part having a first curved engagement surface; and a second mount part for attaching to the object, the second mount part having a second curved engagement surface, wherein the first curved engagement surface and the second curved engagement surface are engagable with each other, and wherein, when the first curved engagement surface and the second curved engagement surface are engaged with each other, the first mount part and the second mount part are movable relative to each other between a stable position and a non-stable position. In a second aspect the present invention provides a method of hanging an object on a surface, the method comprising: attaching a first mount part to the surface, the first mount part having a first curved engagement surface; and providing a second mount part, the second mount part having a second curved engagement surface, engaging the second curved engagement surface with the first curved engagement surface so as to hang the object on the surface, wherein, when the first curved engagement surface and the second curved engagement surface are engaged with each other, the first mount part and the second mount part are movable relative to each other between a stable position and a non-stable position. The method of the second aspect may comprise using the hanging device of the first aspect. The hanging device of the first aspect may be used according to the method of the second aspect. The following description may be applicable to both the first and second aspect of the invention.

With the present invention, because the first mount part and the second mount part are movable relative to each other between a stable position and a non stable position, the object may be reliably hung at a desired orientation. This is because it may allow the device to revert to the stable position even if the two mount parts are moved relative to each other after the object has been hung. It may allow the device to move to the stable position even if the two mount parts are not initially engaged in the stable position.

When the second mount part is mounted on the first mount part, the parts may naturally assume the stable position.

The hanging device may be self-orienting and/or auto-orienting.

The desired orientation of the object may be horizontal/level. Thus, the hanging device may be self-levelling and/or auto-leveling.

The method may comprise moving the second mount part relative to the first mount part (by application of an external force) so as to move the parts out of the stable position to a non-stable position. The method may then comprise removing external force on the second mount part and/or objection and allowing the hanging device (i.e. first mount part and second mount part) to return to the stable position. The hanging device may return to the stable position under the action of gravity.

The curved engagement surfaces mean that the mount part may smoothly move relative to each other when moving from the non-stable position to the stable position.

The first curved engagement surface and the second curved engagement surface may be engagable with each other such that when the first mount part is fixed to the surface and the second mount part is attached to the object, the object may be hung on the surface when the first curved engagement surface and the second curved engagement surface are engaged.

The first curved engagement surface and the second curved engagement surface being engaged with each other may mean that the two engagement surfaces are in contact.

The first engagement surface may receive and support the second engagement surface. In use, the second engagement surface may rest on the first engagement surface. Thus the second mount part may rest on and be supported by the first mount part. In use the second mount part may be located above the first mount part. In use the second mount part may be moved relative to the first mount part so as to move the object relative to the hanging surface.

The hanging device may be arranged so that when the first mount part is fixed to the surface and the second mount part is attached, e.g. fixed, to the object the object may be hung on the surface at a desired orientation. This may be achieved by the stable position being a position in which the first mount part and the second mount part are at a desired orientation (such as straight/square/level etc.) relative to each other.

The first mount part may have a first straight alignment surface and/or the second mount part may have a second straight alignment surface. The stable position may be a position in which the first straight alignment surface and the second straight alignment surface are parallel. The stable position may be a position in which the second straight alignment surface is horizontal when the first mount part is horizontal (e.g. indicated as being horizontal).

If it is desired to hang an object on the surface such that a part, such as the top edge, of an object is horizontal, the first mount part may be attached to the surface such that it (e.g. a first straight alignment surface) is horizontal. Thus, if the second mount part is connected to the object such that the second straight alignment surface is aligned with (e.g. parallel with) the part of the object it is desired to be horizontal, when the second mount part is mounted on the first mount part and in the stable position, the part of the object may be horizontal.

This may be achieved using an orientation indicator such as a spirit level to ensure that the first mount part, e.g. the first straight alignment surface, is horizontal.

The orientation indicator may be used to indicate the orientation/angle of the second mount part (e.g. the second alignment surface) when the two mount parts are in the stable position. For example, if the orientation indicator indicates horizontal, the second mount part (e.g. the second straight alignment surface) may be horizontal, or in another desired, pre-determined position, when the mount parts are engaged and in the stable position.

The hanging device may be arranged such that then the first and second mount parts are engaged and in the stable position, the alignment surface on the second mount part may extend at the angle indicated by the orientation indicator of the first mount part.

The second mount part may be attached to the object so that the second straight alignment surface is parallel to the part (such as the top edge) of the object it is desired to be horizontal once the object is hung on the surface. The second mount part may then be hung onto the first mount part. Once the two mounts parts are in the stable position relative to each other, the part of the object (such as the top edge) may be horizontal (i.e. horizontal without any further adjustment).

The hanging device may be arranged so that there is only a single stable position. For example, the engagement surfaces may be shaped so that there is only a single stable position. This may ensure that the object is easily retained in a precise orientation and position relative to the surface. Thus the hanging device may be self-aligning and self-orienting.

The device may comprise a biasing device for biasing/urging the mount parts into the stable position.

The biasing device may urge the mount parts from a non-stable position to the stable position. Thus, when the mount parts are engaged and in a non-stable position, the biasing device may urge the mount parts back to the stable position.

The biasing device may resist movement away from the stable position. Thus, when the mount parts are engaged and in the stable position, the biasing device may urge the mount parts to remain in the stable position.

The force to move the mount parts relative to each other from the stable position to a non-stable position may be greater than the force to move the mount parts relative to each other from a first non-stable position to a second non-stable position. The force to move the mount parts relative to each other from the stable position to a non-stable position may be greater than the force to move the mount parts relative to each other from a non-stable position to the stable position. This may be achieved using the biasing device.

The mount parts may be arranged such that when the mount parts are engaged and no external forces are acting on the mount parts, the mount parts will be in the stable position relative to each other and/or will move to the stable position.

The biasing device may be or comprise one or more magnets. Thus the device may comprise one or more magnets. For example, there may be one or more magnets in the first mount part and/or one or more magnets in the second mount part.

If there are magnets in one mount part there may be a corresponding biasing piece to which the magnet is attracted in the other mount part. This may for example be a ferromagnetic material and/or another magnet. A magnet and the corresponding biasing piece to which the magnet is attracted in the other mount part may align when the mount parts are in the stable position.

When a magnet in one mount part corresponds to a magnet in the other mount part, the corresponding magnets may attract each other and be aligned in the stable position.

The hanging device may comprise two, or more, magnets in the first mount part and two, or more, corresponding magnets in the second mount part. The magnets may bias the mount parts towards the stable position and/or help retain the mount parts in the stable position.

When the first mount part and second mount part are in a non-stable position, they may move towards the stable position under the action of gravity alone or with the aid of an external force. Once in the stable position, the magnet(s) and biasing piece(s) may attract to prevent the first mount part and the second mount part moving beyond the stable position.

The first mount part may comprise an orientation indicator. This may for example be a spirit level (i.e. bubble level).

The orientation indicator may be used to ensure that the first mount part is attached to the surface at the desired orientation. The desired orientation may be horizontal. The orientation indicator may indicate the orientation of the second mount part when it is mounted on the first mount part and is in the stable position.

The orientation indicator may be removable. This may allow the orientation indicator to be used with a plurality of different hanging devices.

The first mount may have an attachment surface that, when the first mount part is attached to the surface on which the object is being hung (i.e. the hanging surface), is in contact with the hanging surface. The attachment surface may be a flat surface.

The first mount and hence attachment surface may be fixed to the hanging surface by any known attachment means such as nails, screws and/or adhesive. The first mount part may be an integral part of the hanging surface. The object may be connected to the second mount by being supported on the top surface, i.e. alignment surface. In other words the object may rest on/be hung from the top of the second mount. The second mount, e.g. a second side, may be fixed to the object by any known attachment means such as nails, screws and/or adhesive. The method may comprise attaching the second mount part to the object. This may be by resting a part of the object on the second mount part and/or fixing the object to the second mount part.

The second mount part may be an integral part of the object. For example, when the object is a picture frame, the second mount part may be part of the picture frame.

The object may be connected to the second mount part such that when the second mount part is mounted on the first mount part, a face of the object (e.g. the face to be observed by a user) may extend at an angle to the hanging surface.

For example, the top of the object may be spaced away from the wall compared with the bottom of the object. This may result in the object appearing angled down slightly from a viewer’s perspective.

This may be achieved by the top surface of the second mount part being angled so that when the second mount part is mounted on the first mount part fixed to a hanging surface, the top surface of the second mount part is not perpendicular to the hanging surface, but rather extends in a downward angle towards the floor in a front-back direction. As a result, if the object is rested onto the top surface of the second mount part, the front, viewing face of the object extends at an angle relative to the wall.

The first mount part may be shaped to allow, during installation, the first mount part to be in contact with the hanging surface without the attachment surface being against the hanging surface.

The first mount may comprise a bevel. This may also be referred to as a bevel surface. The bevel may be adjacent and connected to the attachment surface. The bevel may itself be a flat surface. This surface may be referred to as a p re- attachment surface. This pre-attachment surface may extend at an angle to the attachment surface such that when the pre-attachment surface is in contact with the hanging surface (i.e. flat against the hanging surface), the attachment surface is not in contact with the hanging surface. This may be because, when the pre attachment surface is in contact with the hanging surface, the attachment surface extends at an angle away from the hanging surface. Such an arrangement allows the pre-attachment surface to be in contact with the hanging surface whilst the attachment surface is not. This may be useful when the attachment surface comprises adhesive for attaching the first mount to the hanging surface.

For example, the pre-attachment surface may be put into contact with the hanging surface, the orientation of the first mount part may then be adjusted (e.g. based on an orientation indicator), once the first mount part is in the desired orientation the first mount part may be moved (e.g. pivoted about the interface between the attachment surface and the pre-attachment surface) so that he attachment surface is in contact with the hanging surface. When the attachment surface comprises adhesive, this may result in the first mount part being attached to the hanging surface.

Thus the bevel may allow for alignment and/or attachment of the first mount part to the hanging surface.

The first mount may comprise an object-facing surface. The object-facing surface may be on the opposite side of the first mount part to the attachment surface.

The second mount part may comprise a first side that in use faces towards the hanging surface (i.e. a hanging surface facing side). The second mount part may comprise a second side that in use faces towards and/or is attached to the object being hung (i.e. an object facing side). The second side may be on an opposite side of the second mount part to the first side.

The hanging device may be arranged such that when the first mount part attachment surface is fixed to a hanging surface and the second mount part is engaged with the first mount part, the second mount part does not contact the hanging surface.

The hanging device may be arranged such that, when the first mount part and the second mount part are engaged (i.e. when the first engagement surface is in contact with the second engagement surface), the attachment surface of the first mount part may protrude beyond the first side (i.e. a hanging surface facing side) of the second mount. With this arrangement, when the hanging device is mounted on a surface (i.e. the first mount part attachment surface is fixed to a hanging surface and the second mount part is engaged with the first mount part), the second mount part does not contact the hanging surface. This means that the second mount part can move relative to the first mount part without being impeded by the hanging surface. In other words, this means that it may be possible to minimise the risk of the hanging surface preventing the first and second mount parts moving into the stable position.

The hanging device may be arranged such that, when the first mount part and the second mount part are engaged (i.e. when the first engagement surface is in contact with the second engagement surface), the object-facing side of the second mount part may protrude beyond the object-facing surface of the first mount. When the hanging device is used to hang an object (i.e. the second mount part object facing side is fixed to the object and the second mount part is engaged with the first mount part), the first mount part does not contact the object. This means that the second mount part can move relative to the first mount part without being impeded by the first mount part contacting the object. In other words, this means that it may be possible to minimise the risk of the object preventing the first and second mount parts moving relative to each other into the stable position.

The first curved engagement surface may be located between the attachment surface and the object-facing surface of the first mount part. The first curved engagement surface may extend at an angle (e.g. between 20 and 80 degrees, such as about 60 degrees) relative to the attachment surface and/or the object-facing surface. The attachment surface and the object-facing surface may be parallel to each other.

The second curved engagement surface may be located between the first side and second side of the second mount part. The second curved engagement surface may extend at an angle (e.g. between 20 and 80 degrees, such as about 60 degrees) relative to first side and/or the second side of the second mount part.

The first curved engagement surface and the second curved engagement surface may each extend at the same angle relative to their respective surfaces/sides. This is so that the first curved engagement surface and the second curved engagement surface may be complementary.

By having the first and second curved engagement surfaces angled may mean that the first mount part and second mount part cannot be disengaged from each other by moving the second mount part in a purely horizontal direction away from the hanging surface. Instead, because of the angled engagement surfaces, to disengage the second mount part from the first mount part it may be necessary to move the second mount part, at least partially, in an upward direction before the two mount parts can be disengaged and before the second mount part and the object can be moved away from the hanging surface.

By having the first and second curved engagement surfaces angled, locating the first and second mount parts into engagement may be facilitated.

The curved engagement surfaces may each approximately follow the arc of a circle. The curved engagement surfaces may each be approximately semi circular surfaces.

The curved engagement surfaces may be complementary.

One part (e.g. the first mount part) may comprise a convex curved engagement surface and the other part (e.g. the second mount part) may comprise a concave curved engagement surface.

The concave curved engagement surface may be within a recess within the mount part. Thus the mount part with the convex curved engagement surface may be at least partially received within the mount part with the concave curved engagement surface. This may ensure that the first mount part and the second mount part securely engage with each other.

In use, the first mount part may be attached to the surface such that relative movement between the first mount part and the second mount part is achieved by moving the second mount part relative to the first mount part.

The invention may provide a hanging assembly, the assembly comprising an object to be hung on a surface, a hanging surface and a hanging device for hanging the object on the surface. The hanging device may be the hanging device of the first aspect. The device may have one or more or all of the above described features, including the optional features.

The surface may be a vertical, or substantially vertical surface. For example, the surface may be a wall or a door or any other known vertical surface on which it is desired to hang an object. This surface may be referred to as a hanging surface, i.e. it is surface onto which the object is hung.

The object may be any object it is desired to hang on a surface. For example, the object may be a picture, photograph, piece of art, sculpture, canvas, mirror, and/or panel etc

The hanging device may, for example, be for hanging a picture on a wall.

The first mount part may be referred to as a surface part. This is because this mount part in use is attached to a surface. In the case that the surface is a wall the first mount part may be referred to as a wall part or wall piece. The second mount part may be referred to as an object part. This is because this mount part in use is attached to an object. In the case that the second mount part is attached to the frame of an object, the second mount part may be referred to as a frame part or a frame piece.

The first mount part and the second mount part may be attached to the object and hanging surface respectively such that when the mount parts are in the stable position, the object may be at the desired orientation.

The hanging device may be arranged so that it naturally returns to the stable position. Thus the hanging device may be self-orienting.

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a hanging device when the mount parts are not engaged;

Figure 2 shows a hanging device when the mount parts are engaged; and

Figure 3 shows a schematic cross section of a hanging device when the mount parts are engaged.

The figures show a hanging device 1 for mounting an object, such as a picture frame (not shown), onto a hanging surface, such as a wall (not shown).

The hanging device 1 comprises a first mount part 2 and a second mount part 3. The first mount part 2 is for attaching to the hanging surface, such as by adhesive, and the second mount part 3 is for attaching to (or alternatively may be part of) the object.

The first mount part 2 has a convex engagement surface 4 and the second mount part 3 has a concave engagement surface 5. The convex engagement surface 4 and the concave engagement surface 5 have complementary surfaces.

When the first mount part 2 and the second mount part 3 are engaged, so as the hang an object on a hanging surface, the concave engagement surface 5 is mounted on, and in contact with, the convex engagement surface 4.

When the convex engagement surface 4 and the concave engagement surface 5 are engaged with each other, the first mount part 2 and the second mount part 3 are movable relative to each other between a stable position and a non stable position.

The first mount part 2 and the second mount part 3 are attached to the object and hanging surface respectively such that when the mount parts 2, 3 are in the stable position, the object may be at the desired orientation. The first mount part 2 has an attachment surface 6. In use the attachment surface 6 is attached to the hanging surface. On the opposite side the first mount part 2 has an object facing surface 8 that is parallel to the attachment surface 6.

The first engagement surface 4 extends between the attachment surface 6 and the object-facing surface 8. The first engagement surface 4 extends at an angle relative to each of the attachment surface 6 and the object-facing surface 8.

The first mount part 2 has a bevel 10 that extends at an angle to the attachment surface. This surface may also be referred to as a pre-attachment surface 10. This is because the bevel 10 may be put in contact with the hanging surface such that the attachment surface 6 extends at an angle away from the hanging surface. In this way the first mount part 2 can be adjusted to the desired orientation whilst the bevel 10 is in contact with the attachment surface before pivoting the first mount part 2 about interface 11 whilst maintaining contact with the hanging surface until the attachment surface 6 is in contact with the hanging surface. This may be useful in the case that the attachment surface 6 is fixed to the hanging surface using adhesive.

The first mount part 2 may comprise a first alignment surface 12. This surface 12 may be perpendicular to the attachment surface 6 and the object-facing surface 8.

The second mount part 3 comprises a hanging surface facing side 14 that in use faces towards (but does not contact) the hanging surface.

The second mount part 3 comprises an object facing side 16. The object facing side may be attached to or an integral part of the object to be mounted on the hanging surface.

The hanging surface facing side 14 and the object facing side 16 are parallel to each other.

The second mount part 3 may comprise an alignment surface 18. The alignment surface 18 extends between the hanging surface facing side 14 and the object facing side 16. The alignment surface 18 may be perpendicular to the hanging surface facing side 14 and the object facing side 16. The alignment surface may extend at an angle (in a front back direction) to the hanging surface facing side 14 and the object facing side 16. In this case, if an object is hung from the alignment surface 18, a front face of the object may extend at an angle relative to the hanging surface. This may allow a top of the object to be slightly away from the hanging surface as compared with the bottom, so it appears angled down slightly from a viewer’s perspective.

When the second mount part 3 is mounted on the first mount part 2 and they are in the stable position, the second alignment surface 18 may be parallel to the first alignment surface 12 (in at least a lateral direction).

The second engagement surface 5 extends between the hanging surface facing side 14 and the object facing side 16.

The second engagement surface 5 extends at an angle relative to the hanging surface facing side 14, the object facing side 16 and the second alignment surface 18.

As shown most clearly in figure 3, when the first mount part 2 and second mount part 3 are engaged, the attachment surface 6 extends beyond/protrudes from the hanging surface facing side 14 of the second mount part 3. This is so that when the attachment surface 6 is fixed to the hanging surface the second mount 2 does not contact the hanging surface.

Also, when the first mount part 2 and second mount part 3 are engaged, the object facing side 16 of the second mount part 3 extends beyond/protrudes from the object facing surface 8 of the first mount part 2. This is so that if the object facing side 16 of the second mount part 3 is in connect with the object, the first mount part 3 does not contact the object.

The first mount part 2 may comprise an orientation indicator 20 in the form of a spirit level.

The orientation indicator 20 may be used to ensure that the first mount part 2 is at the desired orientation when it is fixed to the hanging surface.

The orientation indicator 20 and first and second mount parts 2, 3 may be arranged so that the orientation indicated by the orientation indicator is the same as the orientation of the second alignment surface 18 when the first and second mount parts 2, 3 are engaged and in the stable position.

The first mount part 2 comprises two magnets 20 (although only one can be seen in figure 1 because of the angle of the first mount part). The second mount part 3 comprises two corresponding magnets 24. One pair of magnets 22, 24 is shown in cross section in figure 3.

The magnets 22, 24 in the first mount part 2 and second mount part 3 respectively are aligned when the first mount part 2 and second mount part 3 are in the stable position. The magnets 22, 24 may attract each other. This means that when the first mount part 2 and second mount part 3 are in the stable position and the magnets 22, 24 are aligned, their attraction may act to resist movement of the two mount parts 2, 3 relative to each other out of the stable position to a non-stable position. When the first mount part 2 and second mount part 3 are in a non-stable position, the magnets 22, 24 may act to pull the first mount part 2 and the second mount part 3 towards and into the stable position. Additionally or alternatively, when he first mount part 2 and second mount part 3 are in a non-stable position, the first mount part 2 and the second mount part 3 may move towards and into the stable position (by the second mount part 3 moving relative to the first mount part 2) under the action of gravity or by the application of external forces. When the magnets 22, 24 come into alignment (i.e. at the stable position), they may act to hold the first mount part 2 and second mount part 3 in the stable position.

Thus, once the object is hung on a surface using the hanging device 1, the mount parts 2, 3 may move into the stable position. When the first mount part 2 and second mount part 3 are in the stable position, the object may be at the desired orientation. If a force is applied to the object (such as during cleaning the object or by means of an accidental knock of the object) that moves the mount parts 2, 3 to a non-stable position (and hence moves the object to a non-desired orientation), once the external force is removed, the first and second mount parts 2, 3 may return to the stable position (and hence the object returns to the desired orientation).

A method of hanging an object on a surface using the hanging device 1 comprises attaching the first mount part 2 to the hanging surface. This may for example be attached with adhesive between the attachment surface 6 and the hanging surface.

The first mount part 2 may be fixed on the hanging surface at the correct orientation by first placing the bevel 10 in contact with the hanging surface, then adjusting the orientation of the first mount part 2 based on the orientation indicated on the orientation indicator 20. The orientation of the first mount part 2 may be adjusted until the orientation indicator indicates the desired orientation, e.g. horizontal.

Once the desired orientation is achieved, the first mount part 2 can be pivoted about the interface 11 whilst maintaining contact with the hanging surface at all times so as to maintain the desired orientation, until the attachment surface 6 is in contact with the hanging surface. The first mount part 2 may then be fixed to the hanging surface such as adhesive between the attachment surface 6 and the hanging surface.

The attachment surface 6 may be covered, at least partly, with adhesive such that the first mount part 2 fixes to the hanging surface upon contact between the attachment surface 6 and the hanging surface.

The second mount part 3 may be attached to or integral with the object.

The second mount part 3 may be fixed to the object in such an orientation that when the first mount part 2 and second mount part 3 are in the stable position, the object is at the desired orientation. Alternatively, the object may be hung from the top of the second mount part 3 once the second mount part 3 is mounted on the first mount part 2.

Once the first mount part 2 is fixed to the hanging surface, the second mount part 3 (which may be attached to, or integral with, the object to be hung) may be mounted on the first mount part 2 such that the first and second engagement surfaces 4, 5 are in contact. As the second mount part 3 is mounted on the first mount part, the second mount part 3 may be guided into the stable position onto the first mount part by the biasing device. If the second mount part 3 was not mounted together with the object, the method may then comprise resting a portion of the object on the top of the second mount part 3 so as to hang the object from the second mount part 3.

Thus, the hanging device 1 may allow easy hanging of an object immediately into the desired orientation without adjustment by human eye.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A hanging device for hanging an object on a surface, the hanging device comprising: a first mount part for attaching to the surface on which the object is being hung, the first mount part having a first curved engagement surface; and a second mount part for attaching to the object, the second mount part having a second curved engagement surface, wherein the first curved engagement surface and the second curved engagement surface are engagable with each other, and wherein, when the first curved engagement surface and the second curved engagement surface are engaged with each other, the first mount part and the second mount part are movable relative to each other between a stable position and a non-stable position.

2. A hanging device according to claim 1, wherein the hanging device comprises a biasing device for urging the first mount part and second mount part into the stable position.

3. A hanging device according to claim 2, wherein the biasing device comprises one or more magnets in the first mount part and/or one or more magnets in the second mount part.

4. A hanging device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first mount part comprises: an attachment surface, wherein the first mount part is arranged so that, when the first mount part is attached to the surface on which the object is being hung, the attachment surface is in contact with the surface on which the object is being hung.

5. A hanging device according to claim 4, wherein the first mount part comprises: a bevel that extends at an angle to the attachment surface, wherein the first mount part is arranged such that if the bevel is in contact with the surface on which the object is being hung, the attachment surface is not in contact with the surface on which the object is being hung.

6. A hanging device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the hanging device is arranged such that when the attachment surface of the first mount part is attached to the surface on which the object is being hung and the second mount part is engaged with the first mount part, the second mount part does not contact the surface on which the object is being hung.

7. A hanging device according to any preceding claim, wherein the hanging device is arranged such that when an object facing side of the second mount part is fixed to the object and the second mount part is engaged with the first mount part, the first mount part does not contact the object.

8. A hanging device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first mount part comprises an orientation indicator.

9. A hanging device according to claim 8, wherein the hanging device comprises an alignment surface on the second mount part, and wherein the hanging device is arranged such that then the first and second mount parts are engaged and in the stable position, the alignment surface on the second mount part extends at the angle indicated by the orientation indicator.

10. A hanging device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first curved engagement surface is located between an attachment surface and an object-facing surface of the first mount part, and wherein the first curved engagement surface extends at an angle relative to the attachment surface and/or the object-facing surface.

11. A hanging device according to any preceding claim, wherein the second curved engagement surface is located between a first side and a second side of the second mount part, wherein the second curved engagement surface extends at an angle relative to first side and/or the second side of the second mount part.

12. A hanging assembly, the assembly comprising: a hanging surface; an object to be hung on the hanging surface, and a hanging device according to any of claims 1 to 11.

13. A hanging assembly according to claim 12, wherein the hanging surface is a wall and/or the object is a picture.

14. A method of hanging an object on a surface, the method comprising: attaching a first mount part to the surface, the first mount part having a first curved engagement surface; and providing a second mount part, the second mount part having a second curved engagement surface, engaging the second curved engagement surface with the first curved engagement surface so as to hang the object on the surface, wherein, when the first curved engagement surface and the second curved engagement surface are engaged with each other, the first mount part and the second mount part are movable relative to each other between a stable position and a non-stable position.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the object is hung on the surface using the hanging device of any of claims 1 to 11.