Abstract:
An object hanging tool includes an elongated body member having at least one removable insert holder for removably fastening, to the body member, an insert for receiving and guiding a fastener to be secured to a structure. The insert holder is slidably disposed at an edge of the body member, and has a holder opening with a holder opening edge and a recessed border formed at least partly around the opening edge. The recessed border self-secures to an overhanging edge of the insert upon placing the insert into the holder opening. The recessed border can have a protrusion and the overhanging edge can have a recess, or vice-versa, the recess aligned with and corresponding to the protrusion. A shape of the recessed border can correspond with or be slightly smaller than a shape of the overhanging edge. The inserts are each configured to receive and guide fasteners such as nails and screws. One insert includes a removable or fixed level positioned at any angle with respect to the frame hanging tool for indicating whether the fasteners received in the inserts are aligned level with respect to each other. The body member also can have a removable or fixed level. As such, a person is assured that the object being hung will be level with respect to the Earth. Another insert can have a gripping hole for releasably holding a fastener.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/504,593, filed Feb. 15, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of allowed application Ser. No. 09/192,748, filed Nov. 16, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,675, issued Jul. 27, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/795,251, filed Feb. 10, 1997, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates, generally, to a tool that assists in hanging an object on a structure, and more specifically, it relates to determining the placement of fasteners, such as nails, screws, pegs, mollies, hooks, and bull hooks, for hanging pictures, frames, carpets, sculptures, and the like, on a given plane and horizontal, vertical, or at a given angle with respect to one another. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Various devices are known that assist in hanging pictures and like objects so that the object will hang level. However, there remains a need for an improved method for hanging objects, including framed works and similar items, that will hang securely in a level position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,952,431 to Pedley teaches a cross bar which attaches to the back of a frame of an item to be hung on a wall. At the bottom of the frame there is secured an end piece into which the cross bar is held. The cross bar can be maneuvered within the confines of the end piece such that the frame can be leveled out should the frame initially be off center. The Pedley device requires time, effort and expense to secure the cross bar and the end piece to the frame. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,895 to Hart teaches an apparatus that is attached to a frame before the frame is mounted to a surface such as a wall. The Hart apparatus has a built in level for assisting in the proper placement of the apparatus on the frame. The apparatus contains areas in which fasteners may be inserted to attach the frame and the apparatus to the wall. The Hart device also requires time, effort and expense to secure the apparatus to the frame. 
     As set forth above, the invention is a continuation-in-part of a related invention described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/504,593, filed Feb. 25, 2000. The invention in that application describes a hanging tool with an elongated body member and a plurality of openings formed in the body member. Each of the plurality of openings has an opening edge and a recessed border formed at least partly around the opening edge. That invention also includes at least one insert for receiving and guiding a fastener to be secured to a structure. The inserts have an overhanging edge and are inserted in one of the openings in the body member. The recessed border of the openings self-secure to the overhanging edge of the inserts for removably fastening the inserts to the body member. 
     The instant invention improves the invention described in the preceding paragraph. Instead of a body member with openings for receiving various inserts at particularly defined locations within the body member, the instant invention includes a body member with a system for slidably receiving separate inserts at an infinite number of locations along the body member. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a tool for hanging any object, including frames, that overcomes the herein-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type, that assists in hanging an object perfectly level on a surface, and that is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     The invention is a tool that sets the proper placement of fasteners such as nails, screws, pegs, mollies, hooks, bull hooks, and the like for hanging objects such as pictures, frames, sculptures, and other items on the fasteners or devices attached to the fasteners. The invention may also be advantageously used to hang multiple objects on the same plane at an even or desired spacing, whether level with respect to ground or at a particular angle with respect to one another or to ground. 
     With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an object hanging tool, including an elongated body member having at least one edge, at least one insert for receiving and guiding a fastener to be secured to a structure, the at least one insert having an overhanging edge, and at least one removable insert holder for removably fastening the at least one insert to the body member, the at least one insert holder slidably disposed at the at least one edge and having a holder opening with a holder opening edge and a recessed border formed at least partly around the opening edge, the recessed border self-securing to the overhanging edge of the at least one insert upon placing the at least one insert into the holder opening. 
     In accordance with another feature of the invention, the body member has at least one rail opening, the at least one insert holder has at least one rail guide, and the at least one rail guide is slidably disposed in the at least one rail opening. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the body member has a rear side, the at least one insert holder has a front side, the at least one rail guide is on the front side, and the at least one rail opening is on the rear side. 
     In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the body member has a top side, the at least one insert holder has a bottom side, the at least one rail guide is on the bottom side, and the at least one rail opening is on the top side. 
     In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the at least one insert holder has at least one rail opening, the body member has at least one rail guide, and the at least one rail guide is slidably disposed in the at least one rail opening. 
     In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the body member has a rear side, the at least one insert holder has a front side, the at least one rail guide is on the rear side, and the at least one rail opening is on the front side. 
     In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the body member has a top side, the at least one insert holder has a bottom side, the at least one rail guide is on the top side, and the at least one rail opening is on the bottom side. 
     In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, the at least one rail opening and the at least one rail guide are trapezoidal or barbell shaped. 
     In accordance with again an added feature of the invention, the at least one rail opening has entrance edges and the entrance edges are tapered. 
     In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the at least one rail guide has end edges and the end edges are tapered. 
     In accordance with still an added feature of the invention, the body member has a given thickness and the at least one insert holder has a thickness equal to the given thickness. 
     In accordance with still an additional feature of the invention, the body member has a given thickness and the at least one insert holder has at least one step with a width equal to the given thickness. 
     In accordance with another feature of the invention, the body member has two edges, and the at least one insert holder is slidably disposed on at least one of the two edges. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the recessed border is formed with at least one protrusion and the overhanging edge is formed with at least one recess aligned with and corresponding to the at least one protrusion for removably fastening the at least one insert to the at least one insert holder. 
     In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the overhanging edge has the at least one protrusion and the recessed border has the at least one recess aligned with and corresponding to the at least one protrusion for removably fastening the at least one insert to the body member. 
     In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the recessed border has a depth and the at least one protrusion has a thickness corresponding to the depth of the recessed border. 
     In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the at least one protrusion and the at least one recess are curved. 
     In accordance with yet an additional feature of the invention, the at least one protrusion has a width, the recessed border has a breadth, and the width corresponds to the breadth. 
     In accordance with again a further feature of the invention, the recessed border has a border shape, the overhanging edge has an edge shape, and the border shape substantially corresponds to the edge shape. 
     In accordance with again an added feature of the invention, the recessed border has a border shape, the overhanging edge has an edge shape, and the edge shape is larger than the border shape. 
     In accordance with again an additional feature of the invention, the overhanging edge has a tapered corner. 
     In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the at least one insert has a front side and a back side, the at least one insert holder has a front side and a back side, and the recessed border and the front and back sides of the at least one insert respectively lie flush with the front and back sides of the at least one insert holder when the at least one insert is placed into the opening of the at least one insert holder. 
     In accordance with still a further feature of the invention, the at least one insert is one of a plurality of inserts including a leveling insert having a level for determining if a plurality of fasteners are aligned level with respect to each other, and a fastener guiding insert for receiving and aligning a fastener. 
     In accordance with still an added feature of the invention, the leveling insert has a removable level. 
     In accordance with still an additional feature of the invention, the leveling insert has a recess for receiving the level oriented at an angle. 
     In accordance with another feature of the invention, the elongated body member has at least one cavity and includes at least one level removably disposed in the at least one cavity. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the fastener guiding insert has a fastener guide path and a semicircular hole at the fastener guide path for receiving and guiding the fastener, and the semicircular hole releasably grips the fastener. 
     In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the body member has at least one end with an end opening formed therein, and including an end connector received in the end opening of the body member for removably joining adjacent body members together at an angle with respect to one another. 
     In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the at least one insert holder has a front side and a back side, and the recessed border is at least partly around the opening edge on both the front side and the back side of the at least one insert holder. 
     In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, there is provided at least one measurement scale at the at least one edge. 
     In accordance with yet an additional feature of the invention, the recessed border is entirely around the opening edge. 
     In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the removable insert holder includes a fastener for removably securing the insert holder ( 60 ) to the body member. 
     Other characteristic features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a tool for hanging an object, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
     The construction of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, reduced, front elevational view of a body member of an object hanging tool in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 a  is a diagrammatic, side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the body member of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2 b  is a diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of an insert holder for the body member of FIG. 2 a;    
     FIG. 2 c  is a diagrammatic, side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the insert holder of FIG. 2 b;    
     FIG. 2 d  is a diagrammatic, side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the insert holder of FIG. 2 b;    
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic, front elevational view of an insert holder to be attached to the body member of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 a;    
     FIG. 4 a  is a diagrammatic, side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the insert holder of FIGS. 2 b,    2   c,    2   d,  or  3  for use with the body member of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 b  is a diagrammatic, side elevational view of the body member of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 a  is a diagrammatic, fragmentary, front elevational view of an end portion of the object hanging tool of FIG. 2 a  showing a side opposite rail openings; 
     FIG. 5 b  is a diagrammatic, front elevational view of an end portion connector of the object hanging tool of FIG. 5 a;    
     FIGS. 6 a  to  6   f  are each diagrammatic, front elevational views of an insert for the insert holder of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 7 a  is diagrammatic, rear elevational view of FIG. 6 a;    
     FIG. 7 b  is diagrammatic, rear elevational view of FIG. 6 b;    
     FIG. 7 c  is a diagrammatic, rear elevational view of FIG. 6 c;    
     FIG. 7 d  is diagrammatic, rear elevational view of FIG. 6 d;    
     FIG. 7 e  is diagrammatic, rear elevational view of FIG. 6 e;    
     FIGS. 7 f  to  7   h  are each diagrammatic, rear elevational views of an insert for the insert holder of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic, cross-sectional, side view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 6 d  along the line VIII—VIII; and 
     FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic, front elevational view of the body member of FIG. 2 a  with two insert hangers of FIGS. 2 b,    2   c  in an installed position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In all the figures of the drawing, sub-features and integral parts that correspond to one another bear the same reference symbol in each case. 
     Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown an object hanging tool  1  having an elongated body member  2  with a rectangular shape. The body member  2  has a first end  3 , a second end  4 , a length L, a width W, and a thickness T (FIG. 2 a ). The length L of the body member  2  is arbitrary (i.e., 6 inches to 10 feet), but is preferably a length of 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet, 3 feet, and 1 meter. The width W of the body member  2  is arbitrary, but is preferably in the range of 1 to 5 inches. The thickness T of the body member  2  is arbitrary, but is preferably in the range of ⅛ inch to 1 inch. 
     The body member  2  is ideally made out of a lightweight, pliable material that can traverse irregular surfaces. The body member  2  can be made out of various materials including plastic, metal, wood, and composite materials. Although, the object hanging tool  1  is preferably in a rectangular shape, other shapes such as squares, triangles, circles, irregular rectangles, and the like are possible. 
     Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2 a,  the body member  2  is formed with two rail openings  50  that traverse the entire body member  2  along the length L of the body member  2 . The rail openings  50  are preferably on the same side of the body member  2 , but can be on either or both sides. The body member  2  can also only have one rail opening  50 , which is preferably centered with respect to the width W and traverses the entire length L of the body member  2 . 
     The two rail openings  50  are defined by interior sides  51  and an interior bottom  52 . The rail openings  50  can be formed of any shape, but are illustrated as trapezoidal. The openings can also be circular, semi-circular, or T-shaped. 
     Received in the rail openings  50  of the body member  2  is a corresponding rail guide  61  of a separate insert holder  60 . See FIGS. 2 b,    2   c,    2   d,  and  3 . Preferably, each of the separate insert holders  60  is rectangular in shape (FIG. 3) and has one rail guide  61  (FIGS. 2 b  to  2   d ) disposed on a rail guide stub  62  of the insert holder  60 . Preferably, each insert holder  60  has two relevant thicknesses, a rail guide stub thickness r (FIGS. 2 c  and  2   d ), and a holder overlap thickness t. In the preferred embodiment, the holder overlap thickness t is equal to the body member thickness T. Therefore, in the inserted position, the side  53  of the body member  2  lies flush with the side  63  of the insert holder  60  of FIG. 2 c  or the side  66  of the insert holder  60  of FIG. 2 d,  and the step  64  of the insert holder  60  lies flush against the side  54  of the body member  2 . The preferred configuration, therefore, provides bearing surfaces  51 ,  54 ,  64  that counteract forces tending to tear the rail guide  61  out of the corresponding rail opening  50  when inserted therein. Additionally, the body member  2  can have a thickness in its central region that extends to cover side  65  of the insert holder  60  much like the overlap thickness t of FIG. 2 c  extending over side  54  of the body member  2 . It is possible for the degree of slidability of the rail guide  61  within the rail opening  50  to be variable. In order to fix the insert holder  60  at a particular location on the body member  2 , for example, to hold the insert holder  60  steady when the body member  2  is placed vertical as shown in FIG. 1, the rail guide stub  6  preferably has a threaded bore  68  for receiving a screw tightener  69 . See FIG. 2 b.  As the screw tightener  69  is turned to travel into the threaded bore  68 , the end of the inserted portion of the screw tightener  69  projects out a side of the rail guide  61  and contacts the interior bottom  52  of the body member  2  and produces a force against the interior bottom  52 . The insert holder  60  then is fixedly secured at a given position because the force against the interior bottom  52  presses the sides of the rail guide  61  firmly against the interior sides  51  of the rail opening  50 . Alternatively, the threaded bore  68  can be placed anywhere on the insert holder  60  such that a force is placed against the body member  2  when the screw tightener  69  is turned to travel into the threaded bore  68 . The screw tightener  69  can also be replaced with any securing device that places a force against the body member  2  to secure the insert holder  60  at a particular position, for example, a spring-biased pin. Additionally, the securing force can be imparted by an expander that places an expansion force on the interior of the bore  68  at a side closest to the body member  2  such that the upper and lower sides of the rail guide  61  are pressed against the interior sides  51 . 
     Another alternative configuration of the insert holder  60  is shown in FIG. 2 d.  In the configuration, materials used in the configuration of FIG. 2 d  are minimized by only having a thickness stub  66  extending from the rail guide stub  62 . To provide the bearing surface of the step  64  shown in FIG. 2 c,  another thickness stub  67  can be provided (shown in dashed lines). Preferably, both thickness stubs  66 ,  67  have a thickness equal to the holder overlap thickness t. 
     Alternatively, the configuration of the rail opening  50  and the rail guide  61  is reversed. Specifically, the insert holder  60  includes the rail opening  50  and the body member includes the rail guide  61 . 
     In another alternative, non-illustrated embodiment, the rail opening  50  is positioned at and projects into the side  54  of the body member  50  and the rail guide  61  is positioned at and projects from the corresponding side  65  of the insert holder  60  shown in FIGS. 2 b,    2   c,  and  2   d.    
     The body member  2 , rail openings  50 , insert holders  60 , and rail guides  61  are not drawn to scale. The dimensions are arbitrary, but, preferably, each insert holder is 2¼ inches wide and 3½ inches high. As the width of the insert holder  60  is many times smaller than the length L of the body member  2 , many insert holders  60  can be inserted simultaneously within one rail opening  50  of the body member  2 . Also, preferably, the rail guide stub thickness r is ¼-inch wide, and the holder overlap thickness t is ¼-inch wide. Preferably, the interior side  51  is ⅛ to {fraction (3/16)} inches deep and the interior bottom is ½ to ¾ inches wide, the width being defined by the distance between the innermost edge of the two interior sides  51 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, each of the insert holders  60  has an opening  5  defined by recessed borders (steps)  6 . The openings  5  can be formed of any shape, but are illustrated as a square, for example, having dimensions of 1½ inches on a side. Alternatively, the openings  5  can be rectangular, having dimensions of 1½ inches wide by 2 inches high. 
     The recessed borders  6  are preferably stepped on one side of the insert holder  60 . Alternatively, the recessed borders  6  can be on both sides of the insert holder  60  such that the borders  6  take the form of a central flange disposed on sides within the opening  5  and extending towards the center of each opening  5 . 
     FIG. 3 shows the preferred embodiment for the recessed borders  6  of the openings. Therein, the recessed borders  6  have protrusions  28  that have a thickness corresponding to the depth of the recessed border  6 . Alternatively, the thickness of the protrusions  28  can be less or more than the depth of the recessed border  6 . The protrusions  28  are illustrated as being rectangular. The protrusions  28  can take any shape, including, but not limited to, square, curved, triangular, or trapezoidal. The protrusions  28  are illustrated as extending from the outer edge of the recessed borders  6  all the way to the inner edge of the recessed borders  6 . The protrusions  28  can extend alternatively to any distance along the edge of the recessed borders  6 . 
     The opening  5  and the borders  6  are configured to receive a plurality of inserts, which will be discussed in further detail below. 
     An alternative embodiment of the body member  2  and the insert holder  60  is shown in FIGS. 1,  4   a,  and  4   b.  In FIG. 1, the body member  2  is shown with two rails  40  disposed on opposite sides of the body member  2 . The rails  40  take the preferred shape of a squared barbell  41  and are depicted in FIG. 4 b.  The corners of the barbell also can be rounded. A guiding opening  42 , the interior of which corresponds to the exterior of the barbell  41 , is disposed on a side of the insert holder  60 . Preferably, the ends of the rails  40  (taken at the extremities of length L) and the ends of the guiding opening  42  (viewed from an insertion direction) are rounded or tapered to provide easy insertion of the guiding opening  42  onto the rail  40 . 
     A view of an end  3 ,  4  of the body member  2  is shown in FIG. 5 a.  Preferably, the end  3 ,  4 , of the body member  2  is formed with an end opening  7 . The end openings  7  can be formed of any shape, but are illustrated in the preferable embodiment of a trapezoid. 
     An end connector  21  is shown in FIG. 5 b.  The end connector  21  is used to attach adjacent object hanging tools  1  together. The end connector  21  can be flat, thus, connecting adjacent object hanging tools  1  in a single plane. Alternatively, the end connector  21  can have two halves disposed at a given angle relative to one another, preferably ninety degrees (90°). Thus, adjacent object hanging tools  1  can be used at a right angled corner of a structure (i.e., a room, a partition, or other object) to hang objects on both of two adjacent walls, for example. As a further alternative, the end connectors  21 ,  22  can be formed with a non-illustrated hinge to connect adjacent object hanging tools  1  at any angle (i.e., 0° to 360°) with respect to one another. In this manner, the object hanging tool  1  can be used for working in any corner, regardless of the corner angle. 
     FIG. 5 a  also shows the object hanging tool  1  having measuring units  19  embedded into the body member  2 . The measuring units assist in measuring the length between insert holders  60  or fasteners to be inserted into a structure. As shown in FIG. 5 a,  the measuring units  19  start at one end of the body member  2 . The measuring units form a ruler that preferably runs the entire length L of the body member  2 . In addition to being formed directly in the body member  2  as shown in FIG. 5 a,  the measuring units  19  can be formed on a structural support clip  20 . The structural support clip  20  preferably spans the full length L of the body member  2  and provides additional support to the body member  2 . For example, if the body member  2  is made of plastic, the structural support clip  20  can be formed of a harder plastic, a metal, a metal alloy, aluminum, or other suitable material, and helps prevent the body member  2  from warping or bending. 
     Example measuring scales for a three-foot object hanging tool  1  can include both a ruler (0″ to 36″) and a centering scale. Preferably, the centering scale is configured with a “0” centered on the body member  2  and forms a ruler that runs the entire length L of the body member  2 , the ruler measurements increasing from the center outward. Preferably, the center unit is “0” and the other units are increasing even integers radiating in both directions from the “0”. See, i.e., FIG.  9 . Specifically, each side of the centering scale has units  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  14 , and  16  for a 36″ length L. The centering unit assists in measuring the distance between respective inserts or fasteners to be inserted into a structure. Specifically, the centering unit enables a user to easily determine a distance between the center line of two openings  5 , and, therefore, two fasteners to be installed. 
     FIGS. 6 a  to  6   f  and  7   a  to  7   h  show a plurality of exemplary removable inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  for placement within the openings  5  and for being held therewithin by the recessed borders  6  of the body member  2 . Each of the inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  preferably has overhanging edges  14  for engaging the recessed borders  6  of the insert holder  60 . The overhanging edges  14  define a corresponding recess on one side of each insert (i.e., the rear side of FIGS. 6 a  to  6   f,  and the side illustrated in FIGS. 7 a  to  7   e ) and along the entire perimeter of each insert  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33 . Alternatively, the recess of the overhanging edges  14  can be formed on less than the entire perimeter of the inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33 . 
     Preferably, the overhanging edges  14  and the recessed borders  6  are dimensioned such that the overhanging edges  14  of the inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  frictionally self-secure to the recessed borders  6  in the openings  5 . The perimeter of the overhanging edges can be formed to be slightly oversized with respect to the size of the openings  5 . Also, the overhanging edges  14  facing the recessed borders  6  of the openings  5  can be tapered towards the center of the inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  to permit easier self-securing into the openings  5 . The taper  27  is shown, for example, on the level insert  9  of FIG. 7 e.    
     The inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  are removed from the openings  5  by applying a force to the inserts in a direction opposite to the insertion direction to overcome the frictional forces of the slightly oversized overhang edges  14 . It is noted that other equivalent fastening techniques, such as pin and socket devices, could be employed for securing the inserts to the insert holders  60 . 
     Preferably, the recessed borders  6  in the openings  5  and the corresponding recesses around the inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  together enable the front and back surfaces of the inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  to lie flush with the front and back surfaces of the insert holders  60  when the inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  are placed into the openings  5 . 
     Recesses  29  in the inserts for receiving the protrusions  28  (FIG. 3) are shown, for example, in FIG. 6 f  and in FIGS. 7 f  to  7   h.  The protrusions  28  and corresponding recesses  29 , together, form a lock that secures the inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  within the openings  5  and on the borders  6 . Alternatively, the opposite configuration can be provided, e.g., the inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  can have the protrusions  28  and the recessed borders  6  can have the recesses for receiving the protrusions  28 . Further, the inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  can have a recess on both sides such that each insert has a perimeter with a central flange thereon extending away from the center of the insert. A recess on both sides eliminates the constraint of placing an insert within the openings  5  in only one direction. 
     The inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  can be individually removed and placed in an opening  5 . The inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  can be configured for insertion into the opening  5  from either the left side of the opening  5  or the right side of the opening  5 . For example, insert  10  is shown in FIG. 6 a  in a position to be inserted into a left side of an opening  5  (see FIG.  3 ). 
     FIGS. 6 a  to  6   f  show a front side of a plurality of example inserts  9  to  13 , including two examples of a level insert  9 , an L-shaped insert  10 , a screw or nail insert  11 , a stepped insert  12 , and a general fastener insert  13 . All of the inserts  9  to  13  are shown with overhanging edges  14  for engaging the recessed borders  6  of the body member  2 , with the inside corner of the defined recesses shown with dashed lines. 
     FIGS. 7 a  to  7   h  show a rear side of a plurality of example inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33 , including a level insert  9 , an L-shaped insert  10 , a screw or nail insert  11 , a stepped insert  12 , a general fastener insert  13 , and specific fastener inserts  31 ,  32 ,  33 . Specifically, FIGS. 7 a  to  7   e  show the opposite view of inserts  9  to  13  in FIGS. 6 a  to  6   e.  All of the inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  in FIGS. 7 a  to  7   h  are shown with overhanging edges  14  for engaging the recessed borders  6  of the insert holder  60 . The inside corner of the defined recesses is shown. 
     A detailed explanation of the individual inserts follows. 
     The level insert  9  (FIGS. 6 e,    6   f,    7   e ) has a recess  15  for receiving and securing a level  16 . Preferably, the level  16  is removable. The recess  15  can be oriented to receive the level  16  in any angular direction or in a plurality of directions. Preferably, the level is oriented in a horizontal direction, in a vertical direction, or on a 45-degree angle. 
     The L-shaped insert  10  (FIGS. 6 a,    7   a ) is configured to guide and receive a fastener such as a bull hook. The distance between the step  26  and the corresponding facing interior side of the opening  5  can define the maximum size of the fastener. Preferably, the distance is equal to or slightly less than the size of the fastener such that the fastener remains removably secured within the insert  10  at the step  26  when inserted into the insert  10  so that the fastener does not fall out during installation. The L-shaped insert  10  can also take the mirror-image form of the configuration shown in FIGS. 6 a  and  7   a.  Forming the L-shaped insert  10  in a mirror image allows customized easier use for a right-handed or left-handed user. 
     The stepped insert  12  (FIGS. 6 c,    7   c ) is formed with an arbitrarily positioned step  26 ′ that is also used to receive and guide fasteners such as bull hooks. As above, the step  26 ′ is selected to removably secure the fastener within the insert  12  when installing the fastener. Because the step  26 ′ can be at any distance between the top and bottom sides of the stepped insert  12 , the stepped insert  12  can accommodate various sized fasteners. Alternatively, the insert  12  can be formed without any step such that, for example, a bull hook having a size corresponding to the inside diameter of an opening  5  can be simply placed against the side of the insert  12  (see also FIG. 7 g ). Likewise, the edges of the openings  5  can be used, for example, to install a bull hook having a size corresponding to the inside diameter of an opening  5 . 
     The screw and nail insert  11  (FIGS. 6 b,    7   b ) is configured with a fastener guide path  25  and an opening  17  for receiving and centering a nail, screw and similar type fasteners. The screw and nail insert  11  can have a keyhole opening as shown in FIGS. 6 b,    7   b,  or can have a non-illustrated semicircular opening. 
     The general fastener insert  13  (FIGS. 6 d,    7   d ) is provided with a U-shaped opening  18  that receives and centers similar and other types of fasteners including pegs, hooks and mollies. It is noted that the openings  17  and  18  can be of various sizes and shapes to fit various types of fasteners and are not limited to those shown in the drawings. It is also noted that the openings  17 ,  18  in the inserts  11 ,  13  can be formed to grip the fastener such that it is held within the opening  17 ,  18  while the object hanging tool  1  is used. The gripper can include, for example, a particular width or a grommet with an opening, the grommet being made from a gripping substance such as rubber or soft plastic. 
     Shown in FIGS. 6 b  and  6   d  are openings  17 ,  18  in the inserts  11 ,  13  having a depth that is perpendicular to the plane of the inserts  11 ,  13 . Alternatively, the openings  17 ,  18  in the inserts  11 ,  13  can be at any angle transverse to the plane of the inserts. An example transverse opening angle is shown FIG. 8, which illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a line VIII—VIII of an insert similar to the general fastener insert  13  in FIG. 6 d.    
     The various inserts  9 - 13 ,  31 - 33  permit the object hanging tool  1  to be adapted to handle any kind of fasteners, including, but not limited to, nails, screws, mollies, hooks, bull hooks, pegs, and the like. For example: insert  31  (FIG. 7 f ) is configured to receive and removably secure a fastener, typically referred to as a hardwall picture hanger, that has a shape corresponding to the interior shape of the insert; insert  32  (FIG. 7 g ) is configured in two parts to receive and removably secure a bull hook fastener, the most common type of picture hanger; and insert  33  (FIG. 7 h ) is configured to receive and removably secure a fastener, typically referred to as a “sturdy hanger” or a “tremor hanger”, that has a shape corresponding to the interior shape of the insert. 
     The object hanging tool  1  is easy to use. First, the type of fastener to be used is determined. For the following example, the fastener will be a nail and two nails will be fastened into a wall level with respect to ground twenty inches apart. The appropriate inserts for the type of fastener used are then selected (here, the screw and nail insert  11 ) and placed into the appropriate positions in the selected openings  5  of each insert holder  60 . For the example, one leveling insert  16  is placed directly in a horizontal insert cavity  30  in the body member  2 . The embodiment is illustrated in FIG.  9 . In the embodiment, the rail openings  50  are on the rear side or the top side of the body member  2  and, therefore, are not illustrated. 
     In an alternative, non-illustrated embodiment, one or more level inserts  9  can be placed in one or more insert holders  60 , which are then attached either on the same side of the body member  2  as the other insert holders  60  to be used or on the opposite side of the body member  2 . 
     Next, a height at which the object is to be set is determined. A first nail  23 , upon which the object will rest, is secured (nailed) into the structure. One end of the object hanging tool  1  is set over the first nail  23  (FIG. 9) in the area of the opening  5  not covered by the insert  11 . The object hanging tool  1  is then moved over in the direction of arrow A such that the first nail  23  is now in the opening  17  of the insert  11  in the position shown by reference number  23 ′. 
     The object hanging tool  1  is then pivoted about the first nail  23 ′ until the level  16  in the level cavity  30  of the object hanging tool  1  indicates that the object hanging tool  1  is true or level with respect to ground. At this point, the second nail  24  is then placed into the opening  17  of a second insert  11  and secured to the structure. If the nails are to be inserted at an angle with respect to the structure, a screw and nail insert  11  having an inclined opening  18  as shown in FIG. 8 can be used. 
     The object hanging tool  1  is then moved in a direction opposite arrow A such that the first nail is in the position shown by reference numeral  23  and the second nail is in the position shown by reference number  24 ′. The object hanging tool  1  is lifted away from the structure leaving two nails in the structure twenty inches apart and level with respect to ground. 
     Of course, many different variations for using the object hanging tool  1  are possible, and the example is only illustrative for understanding the invention. 
     A third, fourth, or fifth fastener can be aligned from any of the previously inserted fasteners for inserting multiple fasteners for a single item to be hung or for inserting multiple fasteners for a plurality of items to be hung. In addition, it is noted that the object hanging tool  1  can be placed on a pre-existing fastener already set in the wall.