FRAME HANGER SYSTEM

Abstract

A frame hanging article and method are provided whereby the article is suited for hanging frames and adjusting vertical position of a frame hanging on a wall.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Persons with experience hanging picture frames know that a frame affixed with a hanging wire is preferred for at least the reason that adjusting the horizontal level of the frame is easier when hung on a wire used in common practice. However, wire frame hanging systems have two distinct difficulties. It is often difficult to mate the wire with the mounted hanging assembly. Additionally, it is difficult to alter the vertical height of a hanging frame once the hanging assembly is mounted on a mounting surface or wall without removal of the mounting device. The present invention addresses these difficulties and provides for articles and a system suitable for hanging frames.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is an article for hanging a frame comprising:

a main body, whereby said main body has a first end configured to mount on a mounting surface or wall and a second end, whereby the main body is configured such that said second end extends outward when mounted; and

a retaining portion on said second end configured to receive a hanging member attached to a frame.

In one embodiment, the main body first end, second end, and retaining portion is formed of a single unitary structure.

The article outward extension is configured to move toward the mounting surface or wall when the hanging member is mated therewith.

In a preferred embodiment, the hanging member is a frame wire.

In one embodiment, the first end includes a plurality of openings for selectively mounting said article.

In one embodiment, the invention is an article for hanging a frame comprising:

a mounting assembly; and

a frame hanging body slidably secured within said assembly.

In one embodiment, the hanging body includes a plurality of serrated teeth or knurling constructed and arranged to interact with a locking mechanism incorporated on said mounting assembly.

The mounting assembly includes locking means for locking said frame hanging body into position.

Also contemplated is a method for hanging a frame comprising:

providing a hanger body according to the present invention;

providing a frame affixed with hanging means for hanging said frame;

mounting said first end of said hanger body on a mounting surface or wall;

engaging said hanging means with said hanger body.

The invention further includes a method for hanging a frame comprising:

providing a mounting assembly according to the present invention;

providing a frame affixed with hanging means for hanging said frame;

affixing and locking said hanging body into position utilizing said mounting assembly; engaging said hanging means with said hanger body.

The method further includes:

removing said engaged hanging means;

unlocking said hanging body;

changing the position of said mounting body;

affixing and locking said hanging body into position utilizing said mounting assembly;

engaging said hanging means with said hanger body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view with frame in position for hanging.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a frame mounted.

FIG. 4 is cut away perspective view of a frame mounted.

FIG. 5 is a side view sequential step demonstrative of a frame hanging according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view sequential step demonstrative of a frame hanging according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view sequential step demonstrative of a frame hanging according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view sequential step demonstrative of a frame hanging according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view sequential step demonstrative of a frame hanging according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 12A is a side view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 16A is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a side view partial cross section of one hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a side view partial cross section of one hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a side view partial cross section of one hanger of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates generally to an article, system and method for hanging picture frames.

In one embodiment, as demonstrated in FIGS. 1-9, the system 10 includes a hanger body 16 configured with a wire retaining terminal end 30. Hanger body 16 is constructed and arranged to interact with frame hanging wire 14 of frame 12. As understood in the art, frame hangers are rated to accept a particularized weight. The hanger body of the present invention is similarly rated with an important novel exception, the weight applied to body 16 causes body 16 to move from an extended position to a position along wall 20 as demonstrated in sequential FIGS. 5-9. Hanger body 16 is constructed and arranged to be rated for particularized weight in which a frame with a weight imparts an amount of force on wire 14 and moves wire 14.

Hanger body 16 is secured to a wall 20 with fastener 18.

Fastener 18 is any fastener known in the art including, but not limited to, nails, wall hanger tacks, and the like. Wire 14 is positioned within parameter 26 that includes the region 24 through which wire 14 will contact body 16 (as best seen in FIGS. 12 and 12A, where 12 shows securing with a nail or hanging tack 18 having a head or as in FIG. 12a with a nail or tack incorporated onto contact body 16, said incorporated nail or tack presented as 18a, wherein the embodiment of FIG. 12a is a unitary configuration including nail 18a and body 16.). As shown in sequential FIGS. 5-9, wire 14 is positioned in region 26 that includes hanger opening 28. Once in position, frame 12 is lowered on wall 20 until wire 14 contacts body 16. As wire 14 is positioned shown by directional arrow 22, downward force is imparted on body 16. Wire 14 ultimately contacts retaining curve 28 formed near terminal end 30. As frame 12 is lowered downward force on body 16 directs body 16 to uncurl in the direction shown by directional arrow 32 of FIG. 8. Ultimately, frame 12 is suspended on wire 14 inserted into retaining curve 38 formed on terminal end 32 of body 16, as best seen in FIG. 9.

The configuration of hanger body 16 shown in FIGS. 1-9 is advantageous over prior hanging systems in that wire 14 is more easily paired with the hanger 16 as desired. Since body of hanger 16 is away from wall, wire 14 is less inclined to contact or hang from fastener 18 making distribution of the wire weight less likely to pull fastener 18 from the wall.

Once hanger 16 is completely extended, it has a somewhat planer orientation in relation to wall 20 as shown in FIGS. 9-10.

Also contemplated in the present invention are embodiments of the hanger body as demonstrated in FIGS. 13-16.

FIG. 13 shows hanger 16b having a plurality of hanging cavities incorporated thereon where a user can select a particular hanging cavity for engaging fastener 18 and thus select the vertical distance in which frame 12 is positioned on wall 20.

FIG. 14 shows hanger 16c having a plurality of hanging cavities being circular openings incorporated thereon where a user can select a particular hanging cavity for engaging fastener 18 and thus select the vertical distance in which frame 12 is positioned on wall 20. Additional fasteners 18 can be used to increase strength of the system.

FIG. 15 shows hanger 16d having a plurality of hanging cavities being enclosed tabular openings incorporated thereon where a user can select a particular hanging cavity for engaging fastener 18 and thus select the vertical distance in which frame 12 is positioned on wall 20.

FIG. 16 shows hanger 16e having a three hanging cavities, for using multiple fasteners 18, incorporated thereon where a user can select a particular hanging cavity for engaging fastener 18. Additional fasteners 18 can be used to increase strength of the system.

FIG. 16A shows hanger 16f having a plurality of hanging bodies incorporated thereon where a user can hang multiple frames 20 on a single article. Also, this configuration prevents tilting of a frame hung on this type of hanger.

In one embodiment, as demonstrated in FIGS. 21 through 24 serrated body portion 36 (portion 36 can also be knurled or roughened) inserts into body holder 40 and has incorporated thereon lock ball 38 that is constructed and arranged to act with lockable access slot 42. As demonstrated in FIG. 22, serrated body portion 36 is inserted through body holder 40 whereby each engagement is with lock ball 38. A user will continue to pass serrated body 36 in the direction as demonstrated in FIG. 22 until a desired length of serrated body 36 is extending outward through body holder 40. As described herein, once hanger body 36 is positioned as desired wire 14 on frame 12 is engaged therein and frame is hung as described above. If height adjustment is desired, the mechanism can be unlocked and, as demonstrated in FIGS. 23 and 24, adjustment can be made by pulling on ring 44 and altering position of body 36 followed by a subsequent engagement of the locking mechanism once a desired position is obtained.

In one embodiment as in FIGS. 25 and 25, latch 50 engages body 36 and provides adjustment in height.

As demonstrated in FIGS. 23-26, similarly engage body 36 with member 44 and ring 46 that allows adjustment, even when a frame is hanging on body 36.

As stated above, when hanging frame 12 with a hanging wire 14 on a mounting surface 20 whereby the mounting surface 20 is most often a wall, it is often difficult to make wire 14 with a wire hanger body 16. In one embodiment, the present invention as demonstrated in FIGS. 1 through 12A provides a configuration whereby hang your body 16 extends outward from wall 20 in order to more easily receive wire 14 and hang frame 12.

In another embodiment of the present invention as demonstrated in FIGS. 13-15, the vertical position of a frame 12 attached to a wall 20 utilizing hanging wire 14 is adjustable based on the configurations demonstrated in FIGS. 13 to 15. In these configurations each of anger 16b, 16c, 16d, are adjustable vertically on wall 20. This adjustable configuration provides that once nail 18 is mounted onto wall 20 and it is subsequently desired to alter the vertical height of frame 12, a user merely adjusts and selects a particularized opening thus altering the vertical height without the need for removing nail 18.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An article for hanging a frame comprising:

a main body, whereby said main body has a first end configured to mount on a mounting surface or wall and a second end, whereby the main body is configured such that said second end extends outward when mounted; and

a retaining portion on said second end configured to receive a hanging member attached to a frame.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein said main body having said first end, second end, and retaining portion is formed of a single unitary structure.

3. The article of claim 1 wherein said outward extension is configured to move toward the mounting surface or wall when the hanging member is mated therewith.

4. The article of claim 1 wherein said hanging member is a frame wire or flat piece of metal for hanging said frame.

5. The article of claim 1 wherein said first end include a plurality of openings for selectively mounting said article.

6. An article for hanging a frame comprising:

a mounting assembly; and

a frame hanging body slidably secured within said assembly.

7. The article of claim 6 wherein said hanging body includes a plurality of at least one of serrated teeth, a knurled surface, or a roughened surface constructed and arranged to interact with a locking mechanism incorporated on said mounting assembly.

8. The article of claim 6 wherein said mounting assembly includes locking means for locking said frame hanging body into position.

9. A method for hanging a frame comprising:

providing a hanger body according to claim 1;

providing a frame affixed with hanging means for hanging said frame;

mounting said first end of said hanger body on a mounting surface or wall;

engaging said hanging means with said hanger body.

10. A method for hanging a frame comprising:

providing a mounting assembly according to claim 6;

providing a frame affixed with hanging means for hanging said frame;

affixing and locking said hanging body into position utilizing said mounting assembly;

engaging said hanging means with said hanger body.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

removing said engaged hanging means;

unlocking said hanging body;

changing the position of said mounting body;

affixing and locking said hanging body into position utilizing said mounting assembly;

engaging said hanging means with said hanger body.