Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G1/00—Mirrors; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means
  • A47G1/16—Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like
  • A47G1/1606—Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like comprising a wall member cooperating with a corresponding picture member
  • A47G1/1613—Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like comprising a wall member cooperating with a corresponding picture member and being adjustable
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G1/00—Mirrors; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means
  • A47G1/16—Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like
  • A47G1/166—Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like for rotatably hanging or supporting
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G1/00—Mirrors; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means
  • A47G1/16—Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like
  • A47G1/17—Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like using adhesives, suction or magnetism

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates generally to articles useful for mounting articles, and more particularly a rotatable apparatus for mounting pictures, frames, artwork and the like to a wall.
• Hanging pictures or other items on a wall often requires precise measurements to ensure that the picture is level, or that two pictures are aligned.
• Hanging a picture usually involves attachment means (e.g. , nails, screws hangers, or hooks) that secure the picture to a wall.
• attachment means e.g. , nails, screws hangers, or hooks
• Conventional picture hangers often include a hook that is fastened to the wall. Such hooks typically curve upwards and are configured for receiving a support bracket of a picture frame or piece of art.
• Another problem is that when the user wants to place a picture in a precise position on a wall, it may be difficult because the hook(s) on the picture frame do not line up directly with where the nail or screw is located. Additional problems exist when trying to align two different pictures, because hooks on different picture frames are not in the same location on the frame with respect to the top of the picture frame. This presents a problem because merely aligning nails on a wall does not guarantee that the pictures themselves will be aligned with each other. Figuring out where to put a nail or screw into a wall is therefore often times-consuming and tedious.
• U.S. Patent No. 5,695, 147 to Zimmerman describes an adjustable hanging device that controls the length of a flexible line fixed at both ends for hanging objects by means of a rotatable body that can length or shorten a hanging wire, thereby shifting a picture up or down on a wall.
• U.S. Patent No. 5,695, 147 to Zimmerman describes an adjustable hanging device that controls the length of a flexible line fixed at both ends for hanging objects by means of a rotatable body that can length or shorten a hanging wire, thereby shifting a picture up or down on a wall.
• 6,666,425 to Ferguson describes a vertically-adjustable picture-hanger having a body with a plurality of vertically arranged teeth and an adjustable bracket such that the picture can be placed on any one of the vertically arranged teeth.
• U.S. Patent No. 8,061,054 to Rabin describes an adjustable picture-hanging device with an elongated strap and a pair of spaced sliders to enable marking spots on a wall for facilitating leveling of a picture to be mounted.
• U.S. Patent No. 6,572,067 to Kamenstein describes an adjustable picture -hanging hook having a gear coupled to a hook that can adjust a picture horizontally or vertically.
• U.S. Patent No. 4,892,284 to Kelrick describes an adjustable hanger having a rack and pinion for continuously moving an object horizontally and a treaded screw for continuously moving the object vertically.
• the inventors of the present application recognized that there is a need for a system that is easy to use, does not necessarily need any tools to use, relatively inexpensive, provides secure hanging of items that come with various backing hardware configurations, and allows a user to quickly and accurately adjust the position of a picture with ease.
• various embodiments of the present disclosure advantageously address some or all of the above limitations on existing wall hanging devices.
• various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mounting apparatus having at least one of the following advantages: ( 1) is easier to hang; (2) is damage-free to walls; (3) allows for adjustment and leveling during application without requiring removal from the wall; (4) eliminates the need to use the hanger on the back of the frame/artwork to be hung, permitting the user greater ease and flexibility in mounting the item; (5) permits rotation of the item to be hung; and (6) provides improved load bearing capacity with a single device.
• Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a mounting device for hanging an object such as a picture or mirror that allows a picture (or item to be hung) to be adjusted after securing the picture-hanging device to a wall. This permits easier leveling of the item to be hung as well as potentially adjustment of the orientation of the item after installation of the mounting device.
• Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a mounting device, comprising: a first portion including a protrusion; and a second portion including a receptacle capable of mating to the protrusion of the first portion; wherein at least one of the first and second portions includes a load bearing geometry; and wherein the first and second portions are capable of being mated together and, when mated, are able to rotate around a common axis.
• Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of preparing a mounting device capable of holding an article on a wall, comprising: providing (1) a first portion including a protrusion and (2) a second portion including a receptacle into which the protrusion of the first portion can mate, wherein at least one of the first and second portions includes an angular load bearing geometry; and joining the first and second portions together such that the protrusion fits within the receptacle such that, when mated, the first and second portions are able to rotate around a common axis.
• kits comprising: a first portion including a protrusion; a second portion including a receptacle into which the protrusion of the first portion can mate; mechanical or adhesive fasteners capable of mounting, hanging, adhering, and/or affixing one of the first and second portions to a wall; and mechanical or adhesive fasteners capable of mounting, hanging, adhering, and/or affixing one of the first and second portions to a frame, photograph, piece of art, or the like; wherein at least one of the first and second portions including an angular load bearing geometry; and wherein the first and second portions are capable of being mated together and, when mated, are able to rotate around a common axis.
• the protrusion and receptacle are each generally round or cylindrical.
• the first portion includes one or more teeth around the protrusion.
• the second portion includes detents around an outer side surface of the protrusion.
• the second portion includes detents around an inner side surface of the receptacle.
• the detents around the inner side surface of the receptacle and the teeth around the outer side surface of the protrusion positively engage each other to hold the first and second portions together in a static position.
• the protrusion and receptacle provide an audible sound and/or physical feedback to the user when they are properly mated.
• the mounting device is capable of being mounted, hung, adhered, and/or affixed perpendicular to a flat plane.
• the mounting device includes adhesive strips on one of the first and second portions to permit the mounting device to be adhered to a wall.
• the mounting device includes mechanical fasteners on one of the first and second portions to permit the mounting device to be mounted, hung, adhered, and/or affixed to a wall.
• the mounting device includes adhesive strips on one of the first and second portions to permit the mounting device to be adhered to a frame, photograph, piece of art, or the like.
• the first portion includes one or more reliefs around the protrusion.
• the second portion includes detents around an outer side surface of the protrusion.
• the detents around the inner side surface of the receptacle and the teeth around the outer side surface of the protrusion positively engage each other to hold the first and second portions together in a static position.
• the protrusion and receptacle provide an audible sound and/or physical feedback to the user when they are properly mated.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a mounting device as generally described in the present disclosure.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing how the first and second portions are mated together.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a mounting device as generally described in the present disclosure.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a mounting device as generally described in the present disclosure.
• FIG. 7 is a photograph of the front side of an exemplary embodiment of a mounting device as generally described in the present disclosure.
• FIG. 8 is a photograph of the back side of the exemplary embodiment whose front side is shown in FIG. 7.
• FIG. 9 is a photograph of the front side of a portion of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 applied to a wall.
• FIG. 10 is a photograph of the back side of a portion of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-9 applied to an item to be mounted.
• FIGS. 11 and 12 are photographs of the front side of the mounted item shown in Fig. 10. The item can be rotated as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
• the adjustable picture-hanging devices of the present disclosure allow the user to fine tune the placement of a picture without having worry about the precise placement of the picture -hanging device. In some embodiments, the device also prevents unnecessarily creating holes in a wall. [0029] Figures 1-3
• a mounting device 100 includes a first portion 1 10 (also referred to as "A") and a second portion 120 (also referred to as "B").
• first and second portions have a generally square shape (although those of skill in the art will appreciate that many alternative shapes can be used such as, for example, a rectangle, a pentagon, a rhombus, etc.).
• First and second portions 1 10 and 120 can have the same or different shape.
• Each of first and second portions 1 10 and 120 have a thickness. Any desired thickness may be used. Exemplary desired thicknesses are between about 0.65 inch and about 0.125 inch.
• First and second portions can be made of any desired material, such as, for example, plastic.
• first and second portions 110 and 120 have a load bearing geometry.
• load bearing geometry means that the construction or shape provides load bearing capacity.
• the top minor surface 122 (or the first and second minor side surfaces 124, 126 or the bottom minor surface 128) of the first or second portion 1 10 or 120 has a shape or construction that is capable of holding the weight of an item to be hung. In this specific embodiment, the item to be hung rests on the top minor surface 122.
• the mounting device has a greatly increased effective mounting area or target compared to traditional nails or hooks.
• first and second portions 1 10, 120 can be provided with an adhesive strip (as exemplified below) or other fastening surface to assisting in the mounting of larger or heavier items, such as wood engravings and canvases.
• First portion 1 10 includes a protrusion 130 that extends outwardly from at least one major surface of first portion 1 10.
• protrusion 130 extends outwardly from front major surface 140 (which is opposite from back major surface 145) of first portion 1 10.
• the thickness is between about
• protrusion 130 occupies at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least
• the thickness of protrusion 130 is less than, equal to, or greater than the thickness of first portion 1 10.
• Protrusion 130 is shown as round in the specific embodiment of FIG. 1. However, the protrusion may have any desired shape such as, for example, round or cylindrical. As depicted, the protrusion 130 tapers as it approaches the front major surface 140.
• Second portion 120 includes a first major surface 154 opposite a second major surface 156 and a receptacle 150 capable of mating to protrusion 130.
• receptacle 150 is an indentation of a similar but slightly larger shape and size to permit protrusion 130 to fit snugly within receptacle 150.
• protrusion 130 can rotate within receptacle 150, so receptacle should be sized and shaped accordingly.
• receptacle 150 can be rotationally mated with protrusion 130 to attach first portion 1 10 to second portion 120.
• the resulting mounting device 100 can be rotated around axis of rotation 180.
• the mounting device provides the user with feedback when the device has been correctly or effectively mated.
• Any desired feedback mechanism may be used.
• Some exemplary feedback mechanisms include, for example, auditory or physical.
• protrusion 130 of first portion 1 10 includes a plurality of relief structures that extend outwardly from the outer perimeter surface of protrusion 130.
• FIGS. 1-3 show teeth 160; however, relief structures can be any design with a texture or protrusion (e.g., sandpaper) projecting from the outer perimeter surface.
• receptacle 150 of second portion 120 includes a plurality of detents 165 into which teeth 160 fit.
• detents 165 around the inner side surface of receptacle 150 and teeth 160 around the outer side surface of protrusion 130 positively engage each other to hold the first and second portions 1 10 and 120 together in a static position.
• teeth 160 when teeth 160 fit into detents 165, there is an audible noise (e.g., click) and/or physical "click" that alerts the user to the fact that these two structures have been correctly or effectively mated.
• the first and second portions index with one another.
• teeth 160 are substantially evenly spaced. In some embodiments, the teeth are spaced between 0.5 and 3.0 mm from one another.
• the first and second portions 1 10 and 120 can be rotated in a ratchet-like manner to provide for easy leveling of the mounting device 100 (and thus the item to be hung). This can be done easily even after the mounting device 100 has been applied, attached, or mounted on the wall.
• teeth 160 are shown on the first portion 1 1 and the detents 165 are show on second portion 120.
• teeth 160 can be on either first or second portion (or on another portion of the mounting device); and detents can be on either first or second portion (or on another portion of the mounting device) as long as the teeth/relief structures and detents are aligned when the mounting device is assembled.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment of a mounting device 200 generally as described herein.
• Mounting device 200 includes a first portion 210 and a second portion 220.
• First and second portions 210 and 220 have different shapes (second portion has a generally square shape) in the specific embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5.
• First portion 210 includes a receptacle 250 and second portion 220 includes a protrusion 230 that can be mated together as described generally above and herein.
• FIG. 5 is a cross- sectional view.
• All of the features of the mounting device 200, first portion 210, and second portion 220 can be included in the embodiments that are similar to the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
• first and second portions in any of the embodiments described herein can include adhesive strips on one of the first and second portions to permit the mounting device to be adhered to a wall.
• exemplary adhesive strips include, for example, any of the COMMANDTM brand products sold by 3M Company, including, for example, 3M's COMMANDTM picture hanging strips.
• adhesive strips are adhered to a section of the first (or second) portion that will be adjacent to an item to be hung as well as to a section of the second (or first) portion that will be adjacent to the wall.
• Methods of applying, using, and forming adhesive strips as well as composition of these adhesive strips of this general type are described in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,672,402; 6,403,206; 7,781,056; 6,001471; 6,569,521; and 7,078,093, all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
• the mounting device includes mechanical fasteners on one of the first and second portions to permit the mounting device to be mounted, hung, adhered, and/or affixed to a wall
• FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a mounting device 300 generally as described herein.
• Mounting device 300 includes a first portion 310 and a second portion 320.
• First portion 310 corresponds to the easel backing 380 of a picture frame 370.
• the protrusion 330 on the easel backing 380 i.e., first portion 310) can be made integral (i.e., the backing material and protrusion are monolithic) with the backing 380 or affixed thereto by, for example, the adhesive strips described above.
• Second portion 320 includes a receptacle 350 that can be mated together with protrusion 330 as described generally above and herein. While only a single protrusion 330 and corresponding receptacle 350 are shown, first portion 310 can also feature two or more protrusions in other embodiments of the disclosure (also with corresponding receptacles).
• All of the features of the mounting device 300, first portion 310, and second portion 320 can be included in the embodiments that are similar to the specific embodiment shown in FIG.6. Such embodiments need not be limited to the mounting of a picture frame, as any item to be mounted can be provided with integral or coupled protrusion on a wall-facing surface. Such features may decrease the distance between the wall and the item relative to other embodiments described herein.
• FIGS. 7-12 are photographs showing an exemplary mounting device construction following the general teachings herein.
• exemplary first and second portions 410, 420 front view are shown.
• FIG. 8 shows the back side view of the first and second portions 410, 420 of FIG. 7.
• FIG. 9 shows the first portion 410 adhered to a wall.
• FIG. 10 shows the second portion 420 adhered to an item to be mounted/hung (a frame). The second portion of FIG. 10 is mated with the first portion of FIG. 9. The item to be hung is adjusted by rotating first and second portions relative to one another to achieve the desired leveling of the item to be hung. The resulting hung/mounted photo frame is shown in FIG. 11.
• FIG. 12 shows that the photo frame (or any mounted item) can be rotated along the axis of the mounting device even after it was mounted. This can provide practical (leveling) as well as aesthetic opportunities to the user.
• Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of preparing a mounting device capable of holding an article on a wall, comprising: providing (1) a first portion including a protrusion and (2) a second portion including a receptacle into which the protrusion of the first portion can mate, wherein at least one of the first and second portions includes an angular load bearing geometry; and joining the first and second portions together such that the protrusion fits within the receptacle such that, when mated, the first and second portions are able to rotate around a common axis.
• the method further involves rotating the first and second portions relative to one another to properly mate them. In some embodiments, the method further involves rotating the first and second portions relative to one another until the portions make an audible sound and/or provide feedback to the user to confirm that they are properly mated. In some embodiments, the method further involves applying an adhesive strip to a back major surface of one of the first and second portions and mounting, hanging, adhering, and/or affixing that first or second portion to a wall; and applying an adhesive strip to a front major surface of the other of the first and second portions and mounting, hanging, adhering, and/or affixing that first or second portion to a frame, photograph, piece of art, or the like.
• the mounting devices described herein make hanging large items easier and allow for adjustment of the item to be level. In some embodiments, they permit the user to change the orientation of the item to be hung or mounted after installation of the mounting device. In some embodiments, the mounting devices are damage-free (to the wall and item to be hung). The mounting devices described herein are perfect for users who want flexibility. The mounting devices described herein provide easy adjustment by the user of the mounting device and article to be mounted even after these are both mounted on the wall. In some embodiments, the mounting described herein are capable of being mounted, hung, adhered, and/or affixed perpendicular to any flat plane.
• relative terms such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top” and “front” or “back” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another elements as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.

Landscapes

• Mirrors, Picture Frames, Photograph Stands, And Related Fastening Devices (AREA)
• Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

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Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (3)

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Citations (7)

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• 2017
  • 2017-02-02 EP EP17750593.0A patent/EP3413761A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2017-02-02 WO PCT/US2017/016257 patent/WO2017139170A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2017-02-02 JP JP2018541321A patent/JP2019508122A/ja active Pending
  • 2017-02-02 AU AU2017216964A patent/AU2017216964A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2017-02-02 CA CA3013906A patent/CA3013906A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2017-02-02 CN CN201780010173.3A patent/CN108697248A/zh active Pending
  • 2017-02-02 US US16/076,484 patent/US20190045948A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2017-02-07 TW TW106103924A patent/TW201740842A/zh unknown

Patent Citations (7)

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