Wall Cleat and System for Hanging Items

Abstract

A frame mounting system for hanging frames on a wall surface includes a wall-mount cleat and a product-side cleat that is integrally-formed in at least one side frame rails of a frame during the manufacture of the frame. The two cleats are sized and shaped to selectively and snugly engage each other. A user simply mounts the wall-mount cleat level to a wall surface and then engages the product-side cleat with the wall mount cleat. An additional feature of the present invention is a flat surface that is formed in the frame rail adjacent to the integrally formed cleat. This flat surface is sized and shaped to receive and support a backing material by either staples or an appropriate adhesive to help protect the rear of the picture or painting.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/816,110, filed Mar. 9, 2020, entitled: “Wall Cleat and System for Hanging Items,” the contents of which are incorporated herein, in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

a) Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to hanging hardware and, more particularly to such hardware used to hang framed pictures and other items on a wall surface.

b) Description of the Prior Art

A variety of different types of hardware and hanging systems have been developed over the years to secure items to a wall. A seemingly simple task, yet each year improvements continue to be found. Typically, for lightweight picture frames, for example, a simple nail or screw in the wall can be used adequately for hanging. In such instance, the head of the nail or screw merely abuts against a portion of the frame, along an inside surface. With this simple arrangement, the nail or screw does not mechanically or reliably engage the picture frame, but simply relies on friction contact to precariously hold the frame in place against the wall surface—the frame effectively balances on the head of the nail or screw. This delicate balance of the frame on the nail or screw fastener is such that it is susceptible to shifting, tilting or possibly even falling from the perch at the slightest bump or perhaps during some event (e.g., an earthquake or the vibrations caused by a truck passing nearby).

Another commonly used fastener is the so-called “D-ring”, which is usually secured to the back of a picture frame in pairs, and, as the name implies, is shaped like the letter “D.” D-rings work well to support even heavy frames to a wall surface, but require the framer to secure each D-ring at a correct location to the back of the frame during assembly. For one picture frame, this is a relatively simple task, but if you're in the business of selling picture frames and assemble perhaps thousands of frames a week, then the time spent to install the D-ring hardware to each frame quickly adds up and affects the unit cost of each picture frame and the overall cost of doing business. The actual cost of the D-ring hardware and the accompanying screws must also be considered when evaluating the use of this type of fastener. Other issues related to the use of D-rings include installation accuracy. If the D-rings are not installed to the frame in close horizontal alignment with respect to each other, the user who mounts the frame to a wall will encounter difficulties in accurately positioning the wall-hardware (screws and anchors, or nails) so that they align with the D-rings and provide a level frame arrangement.

Another fastener commonly used for hanging lighter frames is the keyhole bracket, which is a metal plate, and like the above-described D-rings, are secured in pairs to the back of a picture frame. The keyhole bracket includes a keyhole-shaped cutout for receiving and capturing the head of a screw by guiding the shaft of the screw into a narrow channel. Like the above-described D-ring, the keyhole bracket is very effective at holding picture frames to walls. Unfortunately, keyhole brackets must also be accurately horizontally aligned and secured to the frame using screws and, as in the case with the D-rings, this takes time and time is a cost.

Yet another type of hanging hardware for picture frames is called a French cleat, which includes a product-mounted elongated cleat and a wall-mounted elongated cleat. The two cleats are usually made from wood and are shaped with a matching angular surface which are sized and shaped to snugly engage each other at the time of hanging. The two cleats are relatively long and can therefore distribute heavy loads across a larger area so that a smaller force will affect each contact point. The engagement allows even very heavy items to be supported on a wall.

Although the French cleat system has a proven track record at effectively and safely supporting even the heaviest of frames to walls, the frame installer is still burdened with the task of accurately mounting the product side cleat to the back of the frame. If the installer secures this product side cleat slanted or off-centered, the wall-mounted process will be difficult. Another problem with French cleats is that they often require access to the inside edge of the upper member of the frame. This is typically where the product-side cleat is secured since it is a strong part of the frame, but unfortunately it makes it difficult to include a backing paper to the frame. This may not be a problem with some applications, such as mirrors and some pictures, but many frame applications remain where a backing paper is desired, such as framed canvases and other open frame artwork.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTIONS

It is a first object of the present invention to provide a hanging system for use with picture frames which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a hanging system for use with picture frames which is inexpensive to implement and use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A frame mounting system for hanging frames on a wall surface includes a wall-mount cleat and a product-side cleat. The product-side cleat is integrally-formed into at least one side frame rails of a frame during the manufacture of the frame. The two cleats are sized and shaped to selectively snugly engage each other. A user simply mounts the wall-mount cleat level to a wall surface and then positions the frame against the wall so that the product-side cleat engages the wall-mount cleat. An additional feature of the present invention is a flat surface that is formed in the frame member adjacent to the integrally formed cleat. This flat surface is sized and shaped to receive and support a backing material using either staples or an appropriate adhesive to help protect the rear of the picture or painting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective cutaway view of a picture mounting system, according to a first embodiment of the invention, showing a picture frame engaged with a wall mount cleat;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective cutaway view of the picture frame and wall mount cleat of FIG. 1 showing the wall mount cleat engaged with the frame, according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective cutaway view of the picture frame of FIG. 1, according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wall mount cleat of FIG. 1, according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the picture mounting system, according to the first embodiment of the invention, showing the picture frame of FIG. 1 disengaged from the wall mount cleat;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the picture mounting system, according to the first embodiment of the invention, showing the picture frame of FIG. 1 engaged with the wall mount cleat;

FIG. 7 is a cutaway perspective view of a picture mounting system, according to a second embodiment of the invention, showing a picture frame engaged with a wall-mount cleat;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the picture mounting system, according to the second embodiment of the invention, showing the picture frame of FIG. 7 disengaged from the wall mount cleat;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the picture mounting system, according to the second embodiment of the invention, showing the picture frame of FIG. 7 engaged with the wall mount cleat;

FIG. 10 is a cutaway perspective view of a picture mounting system, according to the second embodiment of the invention, showing a picture frame disengaged with the wall mount cleat;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the present hanging system showing a picture being hung onto a wall-mounted cleat, according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the wall-mount cleat, according to the second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a hanging system, according to the present invention, showing a shelf item (representing 3-dimensional hanging items) secured to a cleat mounted to a wall surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

By way of introduction, the present invention is a new mounting system for securing generally planar items to a wall surface and includes a wall-mounted cleat and a frame-mounted cleat. The system works with many different planar items, such as picture frames, mirrors, pin-boards and many types of decorative items. In addition to planar items, such as picture frames, the present system may also be used to mount more 3-dimensional rectangular prism items, such as shelving (an example of a shelf is shown in FIG. 13 and described below), wherein a portion of the item extends perpendicular from the wall surface. For the purpose of clarity, all of these suitably mountable items (picture frames, mirrors, shelving, etc.), planar or 3-dimensional in shape, according to the present invention, are collectively referred to as “frames” in describing the present invention. The present mounting system, as described in greater detail below will work with frames made from any of a variety of materials including, but not limited to, wood, ceramic, plaster, metal, glass and plastic.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a picture mounting system 10, according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown including a frame 12 and a wall-mounted cleat 14. Frame 12 is shown as a representative wall-mountable item, according to the present invention and includes a front surface 16, a rear surface 18, an upper member 20 and a side member 22. In this embodiment, only a portion of a typical rectangular picture frame is shown in these figures so that details of relevant features and structure of the present invention can be clearly shown enlarged. Of course, a conventional square or rectangular picture frame 12 will include upper member 20, two side frame members 22 and a lower member (not shown) forming a generally rectangular shape. Also, although frame 12 is shown and described herein as a rectangular or square shape, it can take on any of a variety of shapes, and as mentioned above, and may be a shelf, mirror, or any other similar item that is typically mounted to a wall, without departing from the gist of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 4, wall-mount cleat 14 is shown as an elongated shaped member and includes a mounting section 24, an angled engagement section 26 (also called a projection) and a level-receiving channel 28. Mounting section 24 lays flat against wall surface 15 when wall-mounted cleat 14 is mounted to wall surface 15 and includes at least one hole 32 (preferably one hole 32 is provided at every inch along the length of wall-mount cleat 14). Holes 32 located through mounting section 24 are provided at points along the length of cleat 14 and are sized and shaped to receive appropriate hardware 34 for securing cleat 14 to wall surface 15, as shown in FIG. 6. Appropriate hardware 34 includes screws, nails, and bolts. Holes 32 are preferably formed along their own respective central hole axis (not shown). Each hole axis is, in this first embodiment aligned generally perpendicular to flat mounting section 24 and also wall surface 15, as shown in FIG. 6, so that fasteners penetrate perpendicularly into wall surface, as understood by those skilled in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, angled engagement section 26 extends upward, towards a ceiling and outward, away from the wall surface at a prescribed angle, when wall-mount cleat 14 is mounted to wall surface. Engagement section 26 of cleat 14 defines a rear engagement surface 27 (which faces wall surface 15), a front angular surface 30 (facing away from wall surface 15), and has a prescribed thickness. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, cleat 14 is made from aluminum, using, for example, a conventional and well known extrusion process. The cleat extrusion is typically made in long lengths (e.g., about 20 feet) and later cross cut to form a shorter cleat (to any desired length, such as 6, 8 or 12 inches). The length of the cleat will vary depending on the size and weight of the frame. A preferred wall cleat 14 is currently available by Hangman Products, Inc. of Simi Valley, Calif. 93065, and at www.hangmanproducts.com.

Level-receiving channel 28 of wall-mount cleat 14 is sized and shaped in cross-section to slidingly receive a cylindrical bubble-level vial (shown in FIGS. 7-9 and 12) so that wall mount cleat 14 effectively functions as a carpenter's level. This allows the user to quickly and easily level wall mount cleat 14 against wall surface 15 without having to use an additional leveling tool. Channel 28 includes an arcuate sectional shape (“C” shape) which circumferentially extends sufficiently to effectively secure an appropriately sized cylindrical bubble-level vial when one is inserted into channel 28. As mentioned above, wall-mount cleat 14 is preferably made from aluminum, but may be made from a variety of other materials, including other types of metal, wood and plastic and may or may not include channel 28. In such instance, an extrusion process of manufacture may not be appropriate and other processes may be required, depending on the material. For example, a wood shaper or router may be appropriate to make a wooden cleat, while an injection molding process (or extrusion) may be appropriate for a cleat made from plastic. At the very least, for wall-mount cleat 14 to perform according to this first embodiment of the invention, it must include the above-described angular engagement section 26, flat mounting section 24, and appropriate fasteners to secure the cleat to wall surface 15. The provision of channel 28 is preferred, but optional for the present invention to work properly.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, frame-side cleat is formed integrally with the formation of frame 12. Using a conventional picture frame construction as an example to illustrate the present invention, and referring to FIGS. 1-6, upper member 20 of frame 12 has a shaped section which includes an inwardly slanted cleat-channel 36 that defines an angular engagement surface 38. According to the invention, cleat-channel 36 is formed into rear surface 18 of frame 12 so that angular engagement surface 38 faces the inside of the frame (away from wall surface 15). It is preferably formed along the entire length of upper member 20, but can also be formed along just a portion of one or more frame members. Additionally, since picture frame members (if made from wood), are shaped following a predetermined sectional shape along the entire length of stock wood using an aptly-named power tool called a shaper, slanted cleat-channel 36 can easily be cut along the entire length of all the frame members that are used to make up frame 12. A shaper or router can also be used to shape frame members made from plastic as well. Metal (such as aluminum) frame members may be shaped using an appropriate extrusion die to include cleat-channel 36 and angular engagement surface 38, and other features according to the invention, as described in greater detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, frame 12 further includes a picture-holding channel 40 for receiving a pane of glass or plastic, artwork and a matte, etc., depending on the type of frame. Also provided in the frame structure is a flat surface 42 that is sized and shaped to receive and support a backing material 44 by staples, an appropriate adhesive, or some other securing means appreciated by those skilled in the art. Flat surface 42 is an important feature of the present invention because it allows a protective backing material 44, such as paper, fabric, plastic or metal sheet or wood panel, to continue to fully protect the rear surface of the artwork while still providing wall mount cleat 14 access to inside cleat-channel 36 and angular engagement surface 38. Flat surface 42 can also be used to support various mechanical fasteners that are commonly used to engage and hold pictures, glass, mirror sheet, picture mattes, and backing boards (called planar materials) within frame 12. These are usually metal tabs and are typically bent over the planar materials to hold them in place within frame 12, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

As mentioned above, using wood frame rails to explain the present invention, angular engagement cleat-channel 36 is preferably formed during the shaping of the frame rails 20, 22 using a router, a shaper, or other conventional and well known wood-cutting tools. Engagement surface 38 of cleat-channel 36 is preferably a prescribed acute angle less than 50 arc degrees (as measured from the vertical, such as the wall surface). The exact angle of engagement surface 38 may vary, but preferably matches the angle of rear angular surface 26 of cleat 14 so that when the two cleats engage each other, as shown in FIG. 6, rear angular engagement surface 26 of cleat 14 contacts a majority of angular engagement surface 38 of frame 12. This close mechanical engagement between the two cleats helps hold the frame securely to the wall-mount cleat and wall 15, as shown in FIG. 6.

The shape and size of angular engagement cleat-channel 36 is such that when frame 12 engages with wall-mount cleat 14 (by following the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5), rear surface 18 of frame 12 preferably firmly contacts wall surface 15, as shown in FIG. 6. The contacting surfaces of rear surface 18 of frame 12 and wall surface 15 causes a slight binding effect that is essentially the result of the tapered geometry of the angular surfaces of cleat 14 and the cleat-channel 36. This mechanical interaction keeps the frame firmly in place against the wall and the two cleats engaged (the angular engagement surfaces push the frame firmly into the wall). If the frame did not firmly contact wall surface 15, frame 12 would end up being loosely supported by the two cleats and could easily disengage if moved or bumped. When wall mount cleat 14 engages with cleat-channel 36, there is sufficient clearance between rear surface 18 of frame 12 and protective backing material 44 to accommodate fasteners 34 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and level holding channel 28.

Since cleat-channel 36 is formed automatically during the shaping of each frame before the assembly of frame 12, then the product side cleat (which is defined by cleat-channel 36) will be present at all sides of frame 12 (since the same frame stock would be used to make the frame). In such instance, the user may quickly and easily reorient a frame between landscape and portrait orientations, as desired, simply by repositioning the frame and re-engaging the wall mount cleat 14 with cleat-channel 36 of an adjacent frame member. Also, since the product side cleat (which functions essentially as a fastener) is simply cut into each frame rail while the frame rails are being cut and shaped, there are no extra steps in the manufacturing process. Additional hardware is not required and no additional time is wasted securing hardware to the rear of the product, as in conventional frame securing systems, described in the background section of this application. By forming cleat-channel 36 into frame rails early in the production of frame 12, the accuracy of each cleat-channel 36 is preset by the cutting machines themselves and is therefore much better controlled than trying to accurately position and secure hanging hardware to the rear surface of each frame after the frame is already assembled. Also, formation of cleat-channel 36 will not affect the finish of frame 12. Securing hardware in conventional frames would occur after a finishing process and the installation thereof could damage the finish.

The exact shape of cleat-channel 36 of frame 12 and the shape of engagement section 26 of cleat 14 may be one of many different shapes without departing from the gist of the present invention. Whatever shapes are used, cleat-channel 36 and wall cleat 14 should be able to firmly engage each other, when desired.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 7-12, a frame-mounting system 100, including a frame 102 and a cleat 104. As in the above described first embodiment of the invention, cleat 104 is secured to a wall surface 106 using appropriate fasteners 108 (in this embodiment, as described below, fasteners 108 are preferably nails or brads). Frame 102 includes a longitudinal angled channel 110 which is sized and shaped to snugly receive an angled engagement section 112 of cleat 104 during mounting. The main differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that cleat 104 includes a mounting section 105 that is angled with respect to wall surface 106 so that fasteners 108 may be guided into wall surface 106 at a prescribed angle. In contrast, mounting section 26 of cleat 14 in the above-described first embodiment is flat (parallel to wall surface 15), since the fasteners used in that embodiment are designed to penetrate wall surface 15 perpendicularly. Also, angled cleat-channel 36 provided in the above described first embodiment is an angled channel 110 in this second embodiment which allows frame 102 to more securely engage with cleat 104 during mounting.

Referring to FIG. 12, mounting section 105 of cleat 104 includes several bores 114, spaced evenly along the length of the cleat (preferably one bore every inch). Bores 114 are angled with respect to wall surface 106, (between 30 and 50 degrees, as measured from the vertical) so that fasteners 108 will penetrate wall surface 106 at an effective holding angle to enable a maximum load in shear (so that cleat 104 will be able to support the heaviest load possible, within prescribe safety limits). Additional bores 114 and fasteners 108 may be provided to allow cleat 104 to support greater loads in shear against wall surface 106. Fasteners 108 are preferably thin brads that minimize damage to wall-surface 106 and do not require any pre-drilling. This allows cleat 102 to be used effectively in apartments wherein a renter is discouraged from damaging any wall surface.

As shown in FIG. 12, cleat 104 is preferably made from extruded aluminum, plastic, or similar and, as in the first embodiment, preferably includes a level-receiving channel 116 to selectively and slidingly receive a level vial 118 to allow a user to quickly and easily level cleat 102 against a wall during mounting.

As shown in FIGS. 7-10, frame 102 includes frame members 120, which includes angled channel 110, preferably cut into frame members using an appropriate tool, such as a table saw (not shown) with the blade set at a desired angle. According to this second embodiment of the present invention, similar to the above-described first embodiment, frame members 120 here also include a cutout 122 to support a planar picture and glass 124, and an adjacent surface 126 to support a protective rear panel 128.

According to the invention, angled channel 110 is sized to slidingly receive angled engagement section 112 and is cut to match the angle of section 112 so that frame 102 may be selectively secured to cleat 104 by engaging angled engagement section 112 with channel 110.

As shown in FIG. 12, it is preferred that cleat 104 includes a longitudinally displaced channel 107 located along a rear surface (adjacent wall surface 106) which is sized and shaped to receive bores 114. Channel 107 is angled to help guide fasteners 108 from each respective bore 114 into wall surface 106 so that the predetermined penetration angle is maintained. This channel 107 also allows for uniform wall thickness throughout the extrusion, as is appreciated by those skilled in the art of extrusion processes. Finally, channel 107 allows for bores to be relatively shallow in depth. This is beneficial because, as such, bores may be formed (such as by using a drilling process) more quickly and easily since there would be less material to cut.

In use of this invention, a user securely mounts cleat 104 against wall surface 106 of a wall in a desired location. The user may insert bubble vial 118 into channel 116 so that cleat 104 may be mounted level. While holding cleat 104 level against wall surface 106, appropriate fasteners 108 (such as brads) are used by inserting one into each bore 114 and using an appropriate tool (such as a brad-hammer) to force each fastener through bore 114 and channel 107 and into wall surface 106, still maintaining the prescribed angle which is determined by bores 114.

Once all appropriate fasteners 108 are used and cleat 104 is secured to wall surface 106, bubble vial 118 is removed from channel 116 and picture frame 102 is positioned so that upper member 120 is positioned above cleat 104 and so that angled channel 110 aligns with an upper edge of angled engagement section 112 of cleat 104. Once aligned, the user moves frame downward and towards wall surface 116 so that angled engagement section 112 enters into channel 110. Frame 102 may be lightly tapped down so that a rear contact surface of frame 102 firmly contacts with wall surface 106, creating a friction engagement. Frame 102 is now firmly secured to the wall.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a shelf 200, according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown, including a representational “L” shape structure. Shelf 200 is used to illustrate that 3-dimensional items may be secured to wall surface 202 using a wall cleat 204 in a similar manner that frame 102 is secured to the wall in the above described second embodiments, using cleat 104. The shape and dimensions of shelf 200 shown in FIG. 13 may vary without departing from the present invention. According to this embodiment, an upper section 206 of shelf 200 includes an angular engagement channel 208 (which is essentially identical to channel 110 of the above-described second embodiment, referring to FIG. 8). Owing to the downward forces generated by a load positioned on shelf 200, the shelf further preferably includes a wall-contact boss 210 which is sized, shaped and positioned to abut against wall surface 202 just below cleat 204, as appreciated by those skilled in the art. Cleat 204 functions identical to cleat 104 of the above-described second embodiment and may be secured to the wall using either the angled fasteners method described in the second embodiment, or the perpendicular fastener method described in the first embodiment. As in the second embodiment, shelf 200 is secured to cleat in an identical manner wherein a user positions a rear side of the shelf against wall surface 202 so that an engagement section 212 enters into angular engagement channel 208. Shelf 200 is then forced firmly into wall surface 202 as it moves downward onto angled engagement section 212 of cleat 204.

Accordingly, an invention has been disclosed in terms of preferred embodiments thereof which fulfill each and every one of the objects of the present invention as set forth above and provides a new and improved picture hanging system and method. Various changes, modifications and alterations from the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

1) A picture frame selectively mountable to a horizontal wall cleat attached to a wall surface, said wall cleat includes an upwardly-directed angled projection that extends away from said wall surface at a first prescribed angle, said projection having a rear engagement surface and a thickness, said picture frame comprising:

an elongated upper member having an integrally formed cleat-channel along its length, said cleat-channel having an angular engagement surface which is disposed at said first prescribed angle with respect to said wall surface and which faces away from said wall surface; and

wherein said picture is selectively mounted to said wall cleat by positioning said picture with respect to said wall cleat so that said cleat-channel of said upper member receives said projection of said wall cleat, allowing said angular engagement surface of said cleat-channel to abut against said rear engagement surface of said projection and thereby supporting said frame against said wall surface.

2) The picture frame, according to claim 1, further comprising two side members connected to a lower member, and also connected to said upper member, forming a rectangle.

3) The picture frame, according to claim 2, wherein said cleat-channel is also integrally formed in said side members and said lower member.

4) The picture frame, according to claim 3, wherein said members each include a front surface, a picture holding channel, a top surface, a rear surface and a backing support surface, said backing support surface being parallel to said rear surface and positioned between said rear surface and said picture holding channel, said cleat-channel being located between said backing support surface and said rear surface.

5) The picture frame, according to claim 4, further comprising a planar picture positioned within said picture holding channel of said members and a protective backing sheet secured to said backing support surface of said members.

6) The picture frame, according to claim 2, wherein said members are made from wood.

7) The picture frame, according to claim 2, wherein said members are made from metal.

8) The picture frame, according to claim 5, wherein said protective backing sheet is secured to said backing support surface using an adhesive.

9) The picture frame, according to claim 5, wherein said protective backing sheet is secured to said backing support surface using staples.

10) The picture frame, according to claim 1, wherein said cleat-channel includes a front surface which is parallel to and spaced from said angular engagement surface, said front surface and said angular engagement surface being spaced a distance which is greater than said thickness of said projection.

11) A system for mounting an item to a wall surface, comprising:

an elongated wall cleat that is horizontally attached to said wall surface, said wall cleat including an upwardly-directed angled projection that extends away from said wall surface at a first prescribed angle, said projection having an rear engagement surface;

wherein said item includes an elongated upper member having an integrally formed cleat-channel along its length, said cleat-channel having an angular engagement surface which is disposed at said first prescribed angle with respect to said wall surface, said cleat-channel being sized and shaped to selectively receive said projection of said wall cleat; and

wherein said item may be selectively mounted to said wall surface by positioning said item with respect to said wall cleat so that said cleat-channel of said upper member receives said projection of said wall cleat, allowing said angular engagement surface of said cleat-channel to abut against said rear engagement surface of said projection and thereby supporting said frame against said wall surface.

12) The system of claim 11, wherein said item further comprising two side members connected to a lower member, and also connected to said upper member, forming a rectangle.

13) The system of claim 12, wherein said cleat-channel is also integrally formed in said side members and said lower member.

14) The system of claim 13, wherein said members each include a front surface, a picture holding channel, a top surface, a rear surface and a backing support surface, said backing support surface being parallel to said rear surface and positioned between said rear surface and said picture holding channel, said cleat-channel being located between said backing support surface and said rear surface.

15) The system of claim 14, further comprising a planar picture positioned within said picture holding channel of said members and a protective backing sheet secured to said backing support surface of said members.

16) The system of claim 11, wherein said item is a shelf.

17) The system of claim 12, wherein said members are made from metal.

18) The system of claim 15, wherein said protective backing sheet is secured to said backing support surface using an adhesive.

19) The system of claim 11, wherein said cleat-channel includes a front surface which is parallel to and spaced from said angular engagement surface, said front surface and said angular engagement surface being spaced a distance which is greater than said thickness of said projection.

20) An L-shaped shelf selectively mountable to a horizontal wall cleat attached to a wall surface, said wall cleat includes an upwardly-directed angled projection that extends away from said wall surface at a first prescribed angle, said projection having an rear engagement surface and a thickness, said shelf comprising:

an elongated back wall having an integrally formed cleat-channel along its length, said cleat-channel having an angular engagement surface which is disposed at said first prescribed angle with respect to said wall surface; and

wherein said shelf is selectively mounted to said wall cleat by positioning said shelf with respect to said wall cleat so that said cleat-channel of said back wall receives said projection of said wall cleat, allowing said angular engagement surface of said cleat-channel to abut against said rear engagement surface of said projection and thereby supporting said shelf against said wall surface.