Picture Frame Hanger

Abstract

A picture frame hanger for assisting in hanging a picture having a frame on a wall, the hanger comprising: a generally horizontal member having at least first and second slots therein to receive at least one fastener to fasten the picture frame hanger to the picture; and a generally vertical handle affixed to the horizontal member. The horizontal member has a generally vertical body, a top flange extending outwardly away from the vertical body and a lower flange extending away from the body, the top and bottom flanges forming therebetween a recess in which the first and second slots are positioned. The vertical body is configured to contact the frame of the picture. The horizontal member further includes means for receiving at least one picture hanging element to permit the picture to hang on the wall.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 17/512,438 filed Oct. 27, 2021, published as Publication No. 2022/0125223 on Apr. 28, 2021, now abandoned, which, in turn, claimed priority from prior-filed provisional application Ser. No. 63/106,305, filed Oct. 27, 2020, now expired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to picture frame hangers and, more particularly, to a device for assisting in the level hanging of a picture.

2. Description of the Related Art

Essentially everyone has pictures in their homes, whether family photos, memorabilia, landscapes, abstracts or other artwork. Everyone also has the same problems with pictures: getting them level.

It is undoubtedly one of the most vexing and universal problems faced by anyone living in a home they want to personalize, whether a millionaire's mansion or a college dorm room, making the pictures hang “just right”.

There are many different methods to hang a picture on a wall. The most basic is to put a nail on the wall, and hang the frame of the picture on the nail. More commonly, the picture will have a wire mounted to the rear, and the user will hang the wire on the nail. Other versions may include a serrated or toothed bracket which is mounted to the nail.

Regardless of the specific method, each version has the same issue: leveling the picture on the nail so that it hangs level and is aesthetically pleasing. In most cases, it is impossible to get right the first time, requiring the user to shift the picture left or right to balance it on the nail, move back and then observe the picture from a bit of a distance to see if it is level. If it is not, the process is repeated, and repeated, until the picture is finally level, or at least close enough to level that the user is willing to accept it and give up.

A further problem arises over time, where a picture may “drift” a bit, and gradually become off level because it was not perfectly leveled to begin with.

One proposed solution to the problems associated with picture hanging is found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,488,925 to Miller, which teaches using two mating pieces of equipment, one mounted to the wall and one mounted to the frame. The piece on the frame rests in a slot in the wall-mounted piece to secure them together, while allowing for movement therebetween to level the picture.

This arrangement is not ideal, as it requires the manufacture of two mating pieces, and the attachment of each piece in a desired location. It is therefore somewhat cumbersome and expensive to manufacture.

There is therefore a need in the art for a device to assist in hanging a picture easily and conveniently with minimum effort and bother, and to assist in maintaining the picture level over time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide an improved picture frame hanger which is easy to use, inexpensive and reliable.

Briefly stated, the invention is directed to a picture frame hanger for assisting in hanging a picture having a frame on a wall, the hanger comprising: a generally horizontal member having at least first and second slots therein to receive at least one fastener to fasten the picture frame hanger to the picture; and a generally vertical handle affixed to the horizontal member. The horizontal member has a generally vertical body, a top flange extending outwardly away from the vertical body and a lower flange extending away from the body, the top and bottom flanges forming therebetween a recess in which the first and second slots are positioned. The vertical body is configured to contact the frame of the picture. The horizontal member further includes means for receiving at least one picture hanging element to permit the picture to hang on the wall.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a picture frame hanger according to the invention, shown in perspective and in use, shown from the rear of the picture;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rear (wall side) of the hanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the hanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the front (frame side) of the hanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the hanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the hanger of FIG. 1, taken from the left side of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of the hanger of FIG. 1, taken from the right side of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a picture frame hanger in accordance with the invention, shown generally at 10. Hanger 10 is a unitary piece, preferably of plastic such as polypropylene, having rigidity but not having a surface which is so hard as to scratch the surface of a wall 12 on which a picture 14 is to be hung. Picture 14 has a frame 16. Wall 12 and picture 14 are shown in dashed line, as not forming a part of the invention.

Hanger 10 has a generally horizontal shape in plan view (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 4), and comprises a generally horizontal member 18 comprising a generally vertical body 20, an upper flange 22 and a lower flange 24. Upper flange 22 extends generally perpendicularly from the upper end of body 20 while lower flange 24 extends obliquely from the lower end of body 20. The configuration of these elements is shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Body 20 further includes apertures 26 and 28, preferably formed as slots, most preferably being non-linear and generally arcuate (see, FIGS. 2-4). In use, discussed below, slots 26, 28 will receive respective nails 30, 32 (in phantom in FIG. 1) for levelling picture 14 on wall 12.

As viewed in plan view (FIGS. 2 and 4), upper flange 22 of hanger 10 has a generally arcuate upper surface 34.

Preferably, hanger 10 further includes a generally vertical handle 36.

To assist in positioning nails 30, 32 in frame 14, respective indicia 36, 38 may be provided.

In use, hanger 10 is positioned on nails affixed to the wall, preferably two spaced apart nails 40, 42. To assist in leveling hanger 10 on nails 40, 42 a second set of indicia 44, 46 may be provided.

In use, hanger 10 allows a user to simply and easily level a picture 14 on wall 12.

First, the user places nails 40, 42 at a desired location on wall 14. The user need only be precise with the desired height, and need not worry if nails 40, 42 are perfectly level themselves, so long as they are generally at the same height.

Next, the user places hanger 10 on frame 16 in a position so that top 34 of hanger 10 is below the top of frame 14. The fact that body 20 is generally flat makes it easier to place hanger 10 on frame 14. The user secures hanger 10 to frame 14 by hammering nails 30, 32 in slots 26, 28, but not so tightly as to prevent the sliding movement of hanger 10 on frame 14.

The user may then place hanger 10 on nails 40, 42. If picture 12 is not level, it may be easily levelled on nails 30, 32, since the arcuate shape of slots 26, 28 makes moving picture 12 into the desired position simple and efficient, with no fighting with wires or other traditional methods of hanging a picture on a wall.

Hanger 10 is sufficiently inexpensive, that a user may apply a different hanger to different pictures.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill, as well, that the configuration of upper flange 22 and lower flange 24 spaces hanger slightly from wall 12, and that the configuration of lower flange 24 offers a purchase for nails 40, 42 therein.

Hangers 10 of different sizes may be used for frames of different sizes, and the arcuate nature of the upper surface of upper flange 22 allows the top of hanger 10 to remain behind frame 16 no mater how far hanger 10 is moved to level picture 14.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that picture 14 could be of any kind, such as a photograph, painting, poster or other decorative object, and need not be limited to a two-dimensional object. It could be, for example, a relief or other object having three-dimensional depth.

Furthermore, it will likewise be appreciated that the picture could be hung from any kind of generally vertical surface, whether a wall or some other kind of surface. Thus, as used herein, the terms “wall” and “picture” are intended to be expansive and not limitative.

Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A picture frame hanger for assisting in hanging a picture having a frame on a wall, the hanger comprising:

a generally horizontal member having at least one aperture therein to receive a fastener to fasten the picture frame hanger to the picture;

wherein said horizontal member has a generally vertical body, a top flange extending outwardly away from said vertical body and a lower flange extending away from said body;

wherein said vertical body is configured to contact the frame of the picture; and

wherein said horizontal member further includes means for receiving at least one picture hanging element to permit the picture to hang on the wall.

2. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein said aperture is a slot.

3. The picture frame hanger of claim 2, wherein said slot is non-linear.

4. The picture frame hanger of claim 3, wherein said slot is generally arcuate.

5. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein said at least one aperture comprises at least a first aperture adapted to receive a respective first hanging element and a second aperture, adapted to receive a second hanging element.

6. The picture frame hanger of claim 5, wherein said first aperture is a first slot and said second aperture is a second slot.

7. The picture frame hanger of claim 6, wherein at least one of said first and second slots is non-linear.

8. The picture frame hanger of claim 7, wherein said at least one of said first and second apertures is generally arcuate.

9. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, further comprising:

a generally vertical handle affixed to said horizontal member.

10. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein said top and bottom flanges form therebetween a recess in which said means for receiving a fastener is disposed.

11. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein said top and bottom flanges are configured to contact the wall and space the picture frame hanger therefrom when the picture is hanging on the wall.

12. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein said top flange has a generally arcuate top surface.

13. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein said fastener fastens the picture frame hanger to the frame of the picture, and the vertical body is sized to fit on the frame without protruding over the top of the picture when in use.

14. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein the means for receiving the fastener is configured to permit the frame to be movably attached to the picture frame hanger to permit the levelling of the picture without removing it from the wall.

15. The picture frame hanger of claim 6, wherein at least one of said first and second apertures is configured to permit the fastener to slide therein to facilitate the levelling of the picture.

16. A picture frame hanger for assisting in hanging a picture having a frame on a wall, the hanger comprising:

a generally horizontal member having at least first and second slots therein to receive at least one fastener to fasten the picture frame hanger to the picture; and

a generally vertical handle affixed to said horizontal member;

wherein said horizontal member has a generally vertical body, a top flange extending outwardly away from said vertical body and a lower flange extending away from said body, said top and bottom flanges forming therebetween a recess in which said first and second slots are positioned;

wherein said vertical body is configured to contact the frame of the picture; and

wherein said horizontal member further includes means for receiving at least one picture hanging element to permit the picture to hang on the wall.

17. The picture frame hanger of claim 16, wherein at least one of said first and second slots is generally arcuate.

18. The picture frame hanger of claim 16, wherein said top and bottom flanges are configured to contact the wall and space the picture frame hanger therefrom when the picture is hanging on the wall.

19. The picture frame hanger of claim 16, wherein said fastener fastens the picture frame hanger to the frame of the picture, and the vertical body is sized to fit on the frame without protruding over the top of the picture when in use.

20. The picture frame hanger of claim 16, wherein said first and second slots are configured to permit the frame to be movably attached to the picture frame hanger to facilitate the levelling of the picture without removing it from the wall.