Abstract:
A device to hang articles includes a first member defining a first elongate slot and adapted to be affixed to a mounting surface, and a second member defining a second elongate slot and oriented generally perpendicular to the first member. The second member defines a hook disposed near an end of the second member. The device also includes a threaded screw protruding through the first elongate slot and the second elongate slot, and a retaining nut in engagement with the threaded screw to clamp the first member and the second member thereby securing a relative position between the first member and the second member.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to an adjustable device for hanging articles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Hanging articles on a mounting surface such as a wall generally includes affixing a hanging device to the wall, and then positioning the article to be suspended from the device. Often this requires accounting for the dimensions of the article and the position of the article&#39;s edges relative to its hanging feature. A difficulty arises when dimensions are mis-measured or mis-calculated. The result may be that the final hanging position of the article is not the actual position desired by the user. One remedy is to remove the hanging device from the wall, and re-attach it at a different position. This can be cumbersome, as well as result in unnecessary damage to the wall. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In at least one embodiment, a device to hang articles includes a first member defining a first elongate slot and adapted to be affixed to a mounting surface, and a second member defining a second elongate slot and oriented generally perpendicular to the first member. The second member includes a hook disposed near an end of the second member. The device also includes a threaded screw protruding through the first elongate slot and the second elongate slot, and a retaining nut in engagement with the threaded screw to clamp the first member and the second member thereby securing a relative position between the first member and the second member. 
         [0004]    In at least one embodiment, a device to hang articles includes a generally horizontal first elongate member capable of being affixed to a mounting surface, and a generally vertical second elongate member slidably retained to the first elongate member and having a hook disposed near an end. The device also includes a threaded screw protruding through both of the first elongate member and the second elongate member. A retaining nut is adapted to cooperate with the threaded screw to apply a clamp load to restrict relative movement between the first elongate member and the second elongate member. 
         [0005]    In at least one embodiment, a device to hang articles includes a mounting member defining a first elongate slot therethrough and capable of being affixed to a mounting surface, and a hook member defining a second elongate slot oriented generally perpendicular to, and overlapping the first elongate slot. The device also includes a securing screw protruding through both of the first elongate slot and the second elongate slot, and a retaining nut configured for selective engagement with the securing screw. At least one of the first elongate slot and the second elongate slot further defines an edge having at least one notch sized to receive a shank of the securing screw therein. 
         [0006]    In additional embodiments, a device for hanging articles may include a series of notches disposed in increments along an edge of at least one of elongate slot such that a shank of a securing screw may be selectively positioned along the increments. 
         [0007]    In further additional embodiments, a tightening of a securing screw relative to a retaining nut may increase a clamp load thereby restricting relative movement between the mounting member and the hook member. Also, a loosening of the securing screw relative to the retaining nut may decrease the clamp load thereby allowing relative movement between the hook member and the mounting member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hanging device assembly. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view along line  2 - 2  of the hanging device assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the hanging device assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a view of a first selectable position of a hanging device assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a view of a second selectable position of a hanging device assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , an adjustable article hanging assembly  10  is provided. The hanging assembly  10  includes a hook member  12  and a mounting member  14 . The hook member  12  is secured to the mounting member  14  by a threaded securing screw  16  and a retaining nut  18 . The hook member  12  is a generally vertical elongate member and includes a hook feature  20  at one end for receiving an article  21  to be hung. In at least one embodiment, the hook member  12  is a generally flat body having a curved hook at a lower end. The hook member  12  may be formed from a sheet material, for example by stamping sheet metal. 
         [0015]    The mounting member  14  is a generally horizontal elongate member and includes a pair of mounting pads  22  near opposing ends. The mounting pads  22  include surfaces that are coincident in a mounting plane such that the mounting pads  22  can be positioned flatly against a mounting surface  24 , such as a wall. The mounting pads  22  may be affixed to the mounting surface  24  using screws, nails, or other fasteners through each of the mounting pads  22 . Also, wall anchors may be installed in the mounting surface  24  to secure the mounting member  14  to drywall or brick surfaces for example. 
         [0016]    The hook member  12  is selectively secured to the mounting member  14  by way of a threaded joint. The securing screw  16  protrudes through both of the hook member  12  and the mounting member  14  and is received by the retaining nut  18  on an opposing side of the hook member  12  and the mounting member  14 . The securing screw  16  and the retaining nut  18  are both threaded and cooperate to impart a clamp load across both of the hook member  12  and the mounting member  14 . The clamp load compresses the respective parts in an inner layer of the threaded joint in order to secure a relative position between the hook member  12  and the mounting member  14 . Generally, tightening the securing screw  16  relative to the retaining nut  18  increases the clamp load, thereby restricting relative movement between the hook member  12  and the mounting member  14 . Conversely, loosening the securing screw  16  relative to the retaining nut  18  decreases the clamp load thereby allowing a relative movement between the hook member  12  and the mounting member  14 . Once the clamp load of the securing screw  16  is less than a threshold, a relative slip between the hook member  12  and the mounting member  14  is enabled. Although a screw and nut combination is disclosed herein, it is contemplated that alternative fastening arrangements may be used to secure the relative position of the hook member against the mounting member. 
         [0017]    An offset surface  26  is disposed between, and interconnects the mounting pads  22 . The offset surface  26  is positioned at a distance away from the mounting plane so as to create a gap  28  between the mounting surface  24  and the offset surface  26 . The retaining nut  18  may be positioned in the gap  28  and allowed to slide along the mounting member  14 . Additionally, the hook member may also be positioned within the gap defined by the offset surface. In at least one embodiment the mounting member includes two mounting pads  22 . It is contemplated that alternative embodiments may include three or more mounting pads, for example to enhance strength and stability of the mounting member  14 . 
         [0018]    The mounting member  14  is provided with a first elongate slot  30  through the offset surface  26 . The securing screw  16  is capable of selectable positioning along a length of first elongate slot  30 . The selectable screw position in turn allows the hook member  12  to be adjusted along a longitudinal direction of the first elongate slot  30  to move horizontally relative to the mounting member  14 . Similarly, the hook member  12  includes a second elongate slot  32  through a main body portion of the hook member  12 . The second elongate slot  32  also allows for a user-selectable positioning of the securing screw  16  within the second elongate slot  32 . In this way, the hook member  12  may be adjusted along a longitudinal direction of the second elongate slot  32  in order to move vertically relative to the mounting member  14 . 
         [0019]    The first elongate slot  30  and the second elongate slot  32  overlap with respect to each other such that the securing screw  16  goes through both slots. A shank  34  of the securing screw  16  is capable of independent placement at a plurality of positions along each of the first elongate slot  30  and the second elongate slot  32 . 
         [0020]    In at least one embodiment, a series of notches  36  is provided along an edge of at least one of the first elongate slot  30  or the second elongate slot  32 . The series of notches  36  provide available placement of the shank  34  in increments along a length of both the hook member  12  and the mounting member  14 . In at least one embodiment, a series of notches are provided at a spacing of about 3.5-4.0 mm. A generally common spacing of the notches  36  is shown between the first elongate slot  30  and the second elongate slot  32 . However, it is contemplated that either narrower or wider adjustment increments may be desired in one direction compared to the other direction of adjustment. In an alternative embodiment, a lesser number of notches may be provided at discrete positions along one or more slots, for example at zero, fifty, and one-hundred percent of the total adjustment travel. It is further contemplated that the at least one notch of the elongate slot of the hook member may be configured on either lateral edge of the second elongate slot  32 . 
         [0021]    The combination of two elongate slots arranged perpendicular relative to each other provides two degrees of freedom of movement of the hook member  12  relative to the mounting member  14 . As a result, there is an effective window of placement  38  for the hook feature  20 . A user may select to position the shank  34  of the securing screw  16  at any one of the notches  36  along the length of each slot according to desired final location of the hanging article  21 . A user may adjust the final location of the hanging article  21  after the hanging assembly  10  has been secured to the mounting surface  24  without removing the mounting member  14 . This may be achieved for example by loosening the securing screw  16 , changing the placement of the hook member  12 , then re-tightening the securing screw  16  where the hook feature  20  is at a new desired position. 
         [0022]    The retaining nut  18  is provided with one or more tabs  40  to engage the hook member  12  and the mounting member  14 . The tab  40  may abut an outer edge  42  of the hook member  12  while the securing screw  16  is tightened or loosened. The tab  40  also engages an outer edge  44  of the mounting member  14  to restrict rotation of the hook member  12  when the securing screw  16  is rotated. Although the tabs  40  are depicted along a vertical edge  42  of the hook member, it is contemplated that other arrangements may be suitable to inhibit rotation of the hook member  12 . For example, a pair of tabs could be positioned horizontally relative to each other and be positioned to both engage an upper edge or a lower edge of the mounting member  14 . Alternatively, anti-rotation tabs may be positioned to slidably engage a smooth edge of one or more of the elongated slots. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a first example positioning of the hook feature  20  within the effective window of placement  38 . The first example position depicts the shank  34  of the securing screw at a lateral extreme position within the first elongate slot  30 . Additionally, the example of  FIG. 4  depicts the shank  34  of the securing screw at a lowermost position within the second elongate slot  32 . This placement combination within both directions of adjustment results in the hook feature  20  being places at its highest and most lateral position within the window of placement  38 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  depicts a second example placement of the hook feature  20 . The shank  34  of the securing screw is placed in an intermediate position along the series of notches  36 . In the example, a third incremental position along the first elongate slot  30  is shown. In combination, the shank  34  of the securing screw is depicted at the highest position within the second elongate slot  32 . The resulting placement of the hook feature  20  is at the lowest vertical increment, and an intermediate lateral position within the effective window of placement  38 . Both degrees of freedom may be used to position the hook at any desired position within the effective window of placement  38 . 
         [0025]    In at least one alternate embodiment, the orientation of the hook member and mounting member may be reversed. In this way a mounting member may be provided in a generally vertical orientation, and a hook member positioned in a generally horizontal orientation. There may be an advantage in that the mounting member may include mounting pads positioned one above another, such that they could be affixed to a single vertical wall stud. This may provide strength and stability advantages. 
         [0026]    While various embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.