Picture hanging system
A picture hanging system comprised of a horizontally extending rail attached to the upper portion of a wall on which pictures are to be displayed. Said rail is spaced a precise horizontal distance away from the wall. Visual exposure of the rail and associated hardware can be eliminated by covering it with a decorative moulding that is quickly and easily attached. Cable assemblies can be quickly and easily connected at any desired location on the rail with the associated small diameter cables extending vertically downward. One or more clamp and hook assemblies can be directly attached to the cables at any point on the cable. The pictures are then hung from the hooks. If re-positioning of the pictures is required this can be done quickly and easily. With pictures installed the system achieves the highest possible aesthetic standards by virtue of the fact that only the molding and the very small diameter cables are visible.
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/424,153, filed Apr. 25, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/375,672, filed Apr. 26, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to picture hanging systems and more particularly to a system that permits quick and easy placement of pictures on walls at desired locations while minimizing wall damage.
BACKGROUNDA picture is normally suspended from its hanging wire by a single hook that is fastened to the wall by a nail. A well-known problem arises in installing the picture in the exact desired location on the wall when using the above noted method. Typically the hook is first installed on the wall at a location judged to be approximately correct. The picture is then hung and a determination is made as to where to relocate the hook to achieve a placement closer to the desired location. This trial and error method may involve several repetitions until the exact desired location is obtained. It is also noisy, time consuming and damages the wall due to the multiple nail holes that are created. The problem becomes particularly acute in art galleries where numerous pictures are displayed on the walls, which are frequently replaced or moved.
Various picture-hanging systems have been developed, such as disclosed in Schuite, U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,021; Hayde, U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,987; Keers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,813 and Fleishman, U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,999, which are particularly for use in galleries, to overcome the above noted problems. Such systems however suffer from one or more of the following impediments.
First, tools are often required to hang the pictures. Second, typically, additional pictures cannot be installed in the same area without first removing existing pictures and their associated hangers and then re-installing them. Thirdly, the picture hook cannot be directly connected to the cable that supports the artwork. Rather, the cable has to be fed through the hook until the hook reaches its intended location on the cable. This is often time consuming and cumbersome. Fourthly, the cable hook can impart kinking on the support cable which, if exposed by later moving the picture can be unsightly. Fifthly, the systems typically use specialized equipment which can be costly to manufacture, and difficult to install.
There is therefore a need for a picture hanging system, which overcomes some, or all of the above identified shortcomings.
SUMMARYThe instant exemplary embodiments provide an adjustable, inexpensive, and easy to install track-based picture hanging system.
Some embodiments provide a low cost, unobtrusive, aesthetically appealing, adjustable picture hanging system that allows quick, quiet, easy and precise placement of pictures at numerous locations on a wall, is easily and quickly adjustable and does not require special skills or tools to operate. Some embodiments utilize standard commercially available components for parts of the system.
Some embodiments provide a system having a rail mounted horizontally near the top of a wall section, a cable suspended from the rail and a combination clamp and picture hook that can be directly engaged and clamped from the side to the cable. In some embodiments the clamp and picture hook is tightened or loosened on the cable by an integral thumbscrew incorporated in the assembly thereby precluding the need for any tools. In some embodiments the clamp and picture hook assembly can be quickly attached or detached from the lengths of a cable at any time without affecting other pictures already hanging on the cable or on other adjacent cables on the wall.
When installing a picture the cable is first connected to the rail at the approximate desired horizontal location on the wall. Next the clamp and hook assembly is installed on the cable at the approximate desired vertical location on the wall. The picture is hung and a determination is made if it is necessary to shift it vertically and/or horizontally. If a change in location is necessary the desired position is readily achieved by moving the clamp and hook assembly vertically on the cable lengths and/or by moving the point of cable to rail attachment horizontally.
In some embodiments two clamp and hook assemblies can be employed for each picture, spaced apart horizontally in cases where the picture is very heavy, or where it is desired to eliminate any possible lateral movement of the picture on the wall, or where additional support redundancy is deemed necessary.
In some embodiments there is provided a system for hanging a picture on a wall, said system comprises: a rigid support member comprising an elongate ledge terminating at a rear edge; said member being secured to said wall so that said edge is substantially parallel with and spaced apart from said wall, thereby forming a gap between said edge and said wall; a clip comprising: a backing portion having a first substantially planar surface oriented to bear against said wall; a prong portion extending from said backing portion at a first angle; and, said prong portion having a first dimension greater than said gap and a second dimension narrower than said gap, whereby said prong portion passes through said gap in a first orientation and will not pass through said gap in a second orientation; and, means for releasably mounting said picture to said clip.
In some embodiments, said first orientation relates to said second orientation by a rotation angle commensurate with said first angle. In some embodiments, said clip further comprises a spring arm resiliently connected to said backing portion and oriented to bear against one of a pair of opposing surfaces formed between said wall and said member. In some embodiments, said spring arm is oriented to bear against said edge. In some embodiments, said prong portion and said backing portion form a substantially L-shaped structure. In some embodiments, said spring arm comprises a substantially L-shaped structure dimensioned to nest within said prong portion and said backing portion. In some embodiments, said prong portion connects to said backing portion at a rounded bend.
In some embodiments, said means for releasably mounting comprise: a length of cable having first and second end portions, and a medial portion between said end portions; said first end portion being secured to said clip; a picture hook clamp assembly releasably secured to said medial portion. In some embodiments, said assembly comprises a generally U-shaped body member comprising: first and second clamping plates connected by an apex; said plates being frontwardly spaced apart a first distance; said second plate having a first angled projection thereby forming a picture hook; said body member having opposite lateral edge portions; and, said body defining a substantially vertical centerline. In some embodiments, said clamp further comprises an adjustable fastener engaging said clamping plates, said fastener being actuated to adjust said first distance. In some embodiments, said fastener comprises a screw bonded to said first plate and penetrating opposing drillings through said plates and engaging a wing nut. In some embodiments, said body member is shaped to have a cutout extending medially along said apex from a lateral edge and terminating at a stop surface beyond said centerline of said clamp. In some embodiments, said screw is located to have a lateral surface substantially vertically in line with said stop surface, thereby providing two contact points upon which said cable is centered.
In some embodiments, said rigid support member consists of a standard commercially available slotted bookshelf mounting rail.
In some embodiments the system further comprises a spacer having a thickness determining said gap. In some embodiments, said spacer comprises first and second concentric and adjacent washers, wherein said first washer is formed to have a centerhole having a first diameter and said second washer is formed to have a centerhole having a second diameter, and wherein said first diameter is larger than said second diameter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in
The rail has a number of regularly spaced holes 10 extending through from the front surface of the front panel 4 to the channel 3. Each hole is sized to accommodate a screw 11 inserted for the purpose of anchoring the rail 1 to the wall 2 as shown more clearly in
To maximize the load carrying capability of the screws at the rail hole locations, particularly when installing the screws into dry wall, commercially available expansion anchors 15 may be employed as shown in
The regularly spaced screw holes 10 incorporated in rail 1 also serve as a template for locating the attachment points on the wall. Attachment points 25 on the wall are therefore not governed by stud locations on the wall but rather by the predetermined hole spacing on the rails. In this way, installation of the system is simplified so that relatively unskilled persons can accomplish it quickly and easily. Full load capability is achieved by the use of the wall expansion anchors 15. The incorporation of the holes in the rail eliminates the need to explore the wall for stud locations and also precludes the need to for the installers to make metal drillings into the rail.
Referring now to
The transition from backing to prong is made by a gradual rounded bend 41 so that rotational movement of the clip can be made smoothly.
The retainer clip is typically made of a corrosion resistant spring type metal alloy such as stainless steel. The cable is typically made of corrosion resistant stainless steel and although small in diameter has a load rating sufficiently high to be able to carry several heavy pictures with a sizeable safety factor included.
The body section 53 can be inexpensively formed from a single cut sheet of metal that has been folded twice, first to create the clamping plates 55, 56 and secondly to create the hook portion 54. The apex 57 of the body member has a cutout 70 extending medially from one lateral edge 71 and terminating at an endstop 72 just beyond the centerline 75 of the body. The drillings in the body and the cutout are configured in a manner so that when a cable 29 is inserted into the body it is guided at two points that align the cable to pass precisely through the centerline of the body. This is important to achieve symmetrical loading and avoid any cocking of the clamp and hook assembly 52 when a picture is hung on the hook. In other words, the endstop 72 and the lateral edge 76 of the part of the thumb screw 64 bridging the space between the plates are located about ½ the width of the cable so that the center of the cable passes through the centerline. Insertion of the clamp into the cable and removal from the cable is directly from the side. This is very important in achieving speedy engagement and disengagement of the clamp and hook assembly 52 with the cable 29.
The rail 1 as installed is fully functional. However because of the aesthetic requirements of most gallery settings it is desirable but not essential to cover the rail and associated visible fasteners with a moulding. A typical cosmetic moulding 76 comprised of a wood, plastic or metal channel section that fits closely over the outer surfaces of the rail 1 is shown in
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, modifications can be made and other embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A system for hanging a picture on a wall, said system comprises:
- a rigid support member comprising an elongate ledge terminating at a rear edge;
- said member being secured to said wall so that said edge is substantially parallel with and spaced apart from said wall, thereby forming a gap between said edge and said wall;
- a clip comprising: a backing portion having a first substantially planar surface oriented to bear against said wall; a prong portion extending from said backing portion at a first angle; and, said prong portion having a first dimension greater than said gap and a second dimension narrower than said gap, whereby said prong portion passes through said gap in a first orientation and will not pass through said gap in a second orientation; and,
- means for releasably mounting said picture to said clip.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first orientation relates to said second orientation by a rotation angle commensurate with said first angle.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said clip further comprises a spring arm resiliently connected to said backing portion and oriented to bear against one of a pair of opposing surfaces formed between said wall and said member.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein said spring arm is oriented to bear against said edge.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said prong portion and said backing portion form a substantially L-shaped structure.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein said spring arm comprises a substantially L-shaped structure dimensioned to nest within said prong portion and said backing portion.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said prong portion connects to said backing portion at a rounded bend.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for releasably mounting comprise:
- a length of cable having first and second end portions, and a medial portion between said end portions;
- said first end portion being secured to said clip;
- a picture hook clamp assembly releasably secured to said medial portion.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said assembly comprises a generally U-shaped body member comprising:
- first and second clamping plates connected by an apex;
- said plates being frontwardly spaced apart a first distance;
- said second plate having a first angled projection thereby forming a picture hook;
- said body member having opposite lateral edge portions; and,
- said body defining a substantially vertical centerline.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein said clamp further comprises an adjustable fastener engaging said clamping plates, said fastener being actuated to adjust said first distance.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein said fastener comprises a screw bonded to said first plate and penetrating opposing drillings through said plates and engaging a wing nut.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein said body member is shaped to have a cutout extending medially along said apex from a lateral edge and terminating at a stop surface beyond said centerline of said clamp.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein said screw is located to have a lateral surface substantially vertically in line with said stop surface, thereby providing two contact points upon which said cable is centered.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein said rigid support member consists of a standard commercially available slotted bookshelf mounting rail.
15. The system of claim 1, which further comprises a spacer having a thickness determining said gap.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein said spacer comprises first and second concentric and adjacent washers, wherein said first washer is formed to have a centerhole having a first diameter and said second washer is formed to have a centerhole having a second diameter, and wherein said first diameter is larger than said second diameter.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 10, 2006
Publication Date: Feb 22, 2007
Inventor: H. Fay (Solana Beach, CA)
Application Number: 11/546,202
International Classification: A47G 1/24 (20060101);