Abstract:
The present invention is an art hanging system that uses a drywall anchor combined with monofilament to create a nearly invisible ceiling hangar. The monofilament is fed through the low profile drywall anchor, and tied to an anchor such that when force is applied to the monofilament, the anchor flattens and grabs the ceiling or wall panel. The plastic interior face of the anchor is low profile and transparent such that it presents limited visual distraction to the ceiling plane.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This nonprovisional application is a continuation of and claims priority to provisional application No. 62/010,263, entitled “INVISIBLE PICTURE HANGING DOT,” filed Jun. 10, 2014 by the same inventor. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates, generally, to an anchoring or fastening device. More specifically, it relates to anchor utilizing a monofilament to create a nearly invisible hanging system. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     Current models of picture hanging systems use rails or channels to anchor wires for hanging art. These rails have a strong visual profile and create a distracting line against the wall or ceiling above the art. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is a discreet wire anchoring system. However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the field of this invention how the shortcomings of the prior art could be overcome. 
     All referenced publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 
     While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicants in no way disclaim these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein. 
     The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein. 
     In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a discreet wire anchoring system is now met by a new, useful, and nonobvious invention. 
     The present invention removes rail apparatuses altogether and allows for an invisible hanging system, which not only eliminates distractions to the display of art and the architecture that houses it, but also has an extremely low cost due to its relative simplicity. 
     The novel structure includes a proximal end cap having a proximal end, a distal end, a through hole extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a width extending outward in a radial direction with respect to the through hole. The device further includes a panel washer extending outward in a longitudinal direction from the distal end of the proximal end cap to create a distal end and a proximal end of the panel washer, wherein the panel washer has a through hole extending between the proximal and distal ends of the panel washer. The proximal end cap has a width greater than a width of the panel washer. 
     Attached to the distal end of the panel washer is a first set of pivoting arms, wherein each arm in the first set of pivoting arms has a distal end, a proximal end, an inward facing surface, and an outward facing surface. The first set of pivoting arms is convertible between a streamlined orientation and an anchoring orientation. 
     A wire is received by the through hole in the proximal end cap and the through hole in the panel washer to attach to a wire anchor capable of securing an end of the wire. The wire anchor has a size large enough to prevent passage through the panel washer&#39;s through hole. The arms are convertible between the streamlined orientation and the anchoring orientation by adjusting the amount of tension in the wire and in turn the force exerted on the wire anchor, thereby altering the orientation of the pivoting arms. 
     A certain embodiment includes a distal end cap having a through hole capable of receiving the wire, wherein the wire passes through the through hole of the distal end cap before being secured by the wire anchor. The distal end cap has a width extending outward in a radial direction with respect to the through hole, the width being less than a portion of the proximal end cap. 
     A certain embodiment includes a second set of pivoting arms, wherein each arm in the second set of pivoting arms has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of each arm in the first set of pivoting arms is pivotally connected to the proximal end of one of the arms in the second set of pivoting arms. The streamlined orientation includes the arms in the first set of pivoting arms being longitudinally aligned with the arms in the second set of pivoting arms and the anchoring orientation includes the arms in the first set of pivoting arms and the arms in the second set of pivoting arms outspread in a radial direction with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the panel washer such that the arms extend beyond the width of the panel washer. 
     In a certain embodiment, the wire is a monofilament and the proximal end cap is transparent. In a certain embodiment, the panel washer extends a length roughly equal to the thickness of a panel that the hanging system is to be inserted. 
     In a certain embodiment, the wire anchor further includes locking arms and the panel washer further includes a socket. The socket is adapted to receive the locking arms and temporarily secure the locking arms in the socket. A release mechanism is adapted to pass through the through hole of the proximal end cap and into the through hole of the panel washer to contact the locking arms, thereby flexing the locking arms towards the central longitudinal axis of the panel washer out of contact with the socket while also forcing the locking arms out of the socket to release the wire anchor. 
     These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this disclosure proceeds. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the disclosure set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a certain embodiment of the present invention in a semi-anchoring orientation and disposed in a ceiling panel. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of a certain embodiment of the present invention showing the transition from a streamlined orientation (shown on the left) to an anchoring orientation (shown on the right). 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of a certain embodiment of the present invention having a snap buckle fastener and shown in an anchoring orientation. 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view illustrating the transition between the streamline orientation (shown on top) and the anchoring orientation (shown on bottom) of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  disposed in a wall panel. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of a certain embodiment of the present invention, having a snap buckle fastener and an extended proximal end cap, disposed in a wall panel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     The present invention is an anchoring system designed to be inserted into a ceiling or wall panel (hereinafter “panel”). The anchoring system provides a generally invisible means for securing an object off the ground for display. The system includes proximal end cap  100 , panel washer  102 , set of pivoting arms  104 , distal end cap  106  or wire anchor  108 , and wire  110 . 
     Proximal end cap  100  preferably has proximal end  100   a , distal end  100   b , and a diameter or width greater than a hole in which the device will be inserted. Proximal end cap  100  is designed to remain on interior facing surface  112   a  (the surface facing towards the interior of the room) of panel  112  to allow an individual to easily access proximal end cap  100  and remove the anchoring system. Proximal end cap  100  is preferably transparent or semi-transparent and may have any shape known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, proximal end cap  100  contains a through hole (not labeled to reduce clutter) extending from proximal end  100   a  to distal end  100   b  and being of a size large enough to receive wire  110 . The through hole provides a lumen through which wire  110  may pass without contacting and potentially damaging surrounding panel  112 . 
     Panel washer  102  similarly has proximal end  102   a  and distal end  102   b  such that there exists a length between the two ends, where the length is preferably the thickness of panel  112 . Proximal end  102   a  is attached to distal end  100   b  of proximal end cap  100 . Distal end  100   b  of proximal end cap  100  is the end or surface facing towards panel  112 . Distal end  102   b  of panel washer  102  is pivotally connected to at least one set of pivoting arms  104 . The connection is preferably located at a point inside of the maximum width of panel washer  102  to allow pivoting arms  104  to easily pass through the hole in panel  112  where panel washer  102  is intended to rest. Furthermore, panel washer  102  includes a through hole (not labeled to reduce clutter) running the length of panel washer  102  and that is adapted to receive wire  110 . 
     In a certain embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , there are two sets of pivoting arms  104 ,  114 . However, any number of sets may be used. Each set of pivoting arms includes a first arm  103 ,  113  and a second arm  105 ,  115 ; however, any number of arms may be used as is known by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The arms  103 ,  105 ,  113 ,  115  can be broken down into proximal ends  103   a ,  105   a ,  113   a ,  115   a  and distal ends  103   b ,  105   b ,  113   b ,  115   b , wherein the proximal end is nearest proximal end cap  100  and the distal end is further from proximal end cap  100 . In this embodiment the two sets of pivoting arms  104 ,  114  are connected. Proximal ends  103   a ,  105   a  of first set of arms  104  are pivotally connected to distal end  102   b  of panel washer  102  and distal ends  103   b ,  105   b  of first set of arms  104  are pivotally connected to proximal end  113   a ,  115   a  of second set of arms  114 . Distal ends  113   b ,  115   b  of second set of arms  114  are pivotally attached to distal end cap  106 . The pivotal attachments of distal ends  113   b ,  115   b  of second set of arms  114  to distal end cap  106  are preferably within the maximum outer width of panel washer  102 . 
     The two sets of pivoting arms  104 ,  114  are convertible between two orientations—an anchoring orientation and a streamlined orientation. When in the streamlined orientation, the two sets of arms  104 ,  114  are longitudinally aligned and distal end cap  106  is at its furthest distance from proximal end cap  100 . The streamlined orientation allows the anchoring system to become as narrow as possible, such that the device can be easily inserted into or removed from the intended hole in panel  112 . The anchoring orientation is accomplished after the device has been inserted through panel  112  and a force is exerted on distal end cap  106  forcing it towards proximal end cap  100 . The first and second sets of arms  104 ,  114 , collapse down to a more parallel orientation with respect to panel  112 . As distal end cap  106  is forced towards proximal end cap  100 , arms  103 ,  105  in first set  104  and arms  113 ,  115  in second set  114  pivot with respect to each other and proximal ends  113   a ,  115   a  of arms  113 ,  115  in second set  114  and distal ends  103   b ,  105   b  of arms  103 ,  105  in first set  104  extend outward away from the central longitudinal axis of panel washer  102 . As ends  113   a ,  115   a ,  103   b ,  105   b  extend outward, the two sets of arms  104 ,  114  approach each other producing a stack-like configuration to prevent the device from exiting the hole.  FIG. 1  shows the two sets of pivoting arms  104 ,  114  in between the anchoring orientation and the streamlined orientation. 
     In this particular embodiment, the device is designed so that tension in wire  110  forces distal end cap  106  towards proximal end cap  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , distal end cap  106  has a through hole, which wire  110  passes. Wire  110  further passes through wire anchor  108 , wherein wire anchor  108  has a size greater than the through hole in distal end cap  106 . Wire  110  is knotted after passing through wire anchor  108  and wire anchor  108  prevents the end of wire  110  from passing through distal end cap  106 , ultimately forcing distal end cap  106  towards proximal end cap  100  when tension is applied to wire  110 . In a certain embodiment, wire  110  can be fixed directly to distal end cap  106  or directly to wire anchor  108 . Additionally, wire anchor  108  may be any shape so long as it is capable of preventing wire  110  from exiting the through hole of distal end cap  106 . 
     Distal end cap  106  has a width of equal or lesser magnitude than the width of proximal end cap  100 . The width of distal end cap  106  is preferably of equal or lesser magnitude than the width of panel washer  102  to allow the device to be easily inserted into a hole in panel  112  having a width slightly larger than panel washer  102 , but preferably less than the width of proximal end cap  100 . 
       FIG. 2  shows three systems secured in a single wall panel to illustrate the transition from a streamlined orientation on the left to an anchoring orientation shown on the right. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a certain embodiment lacks a distal end cap and uses only one set of pivoting arms  104 . There are two arms in set  104 ; however, any number of arms may be used. Each arm  103 ,  105  has proximal end  103   a ,  105   a , distal end  103   b ,  105   b , an inward facing surface (the surface facing towards the central longitudinal axis of panel washer  102  when in a streamlined orientation), and an outward facing surface. Proximal ends  103   a ,  105   a  are pivotally attached to panel washer  102  and distal ends  103   b ,  105   b  are free. The inward facing surface has an arced shape so that at least some portion of the inward facing surface extends inward further than distal ends  103   b ,  105   b  and proximal ends  103   a ,  105   a . The shape of the inward facing surface provides at least some friction on wire anchor  108  and aids in converting the system to the anchoring orientation as wire anchor  108  is pulled from distal ends  103   b ,  105   b  of the arms to the proximal ends  103   a ,  105   a  of the arms. 
     The arced inward facing surface also provides wire anchor  108  with a resting position at distal ends  103   b ,  105   b  when the system is in the streamlined orientation. The arced inward facing surface produces a gap between distal ends  103   b ,  105   b  of the arms when in the fully streamlined orientation, which receives at least some portion of wire anchor  108 . Additionally, the peak of the arc is preferably closer to proximal ends  103   a ,  105   a  of the set of arms  104  to allow wire anchor  108  to come to a set position near distal end  102   b  of panel washer  102  while also keeping the arms  103 ,  105  in an anchoring orientation. Wire anchor  108  and the inward facing surface of each arm  103 ,  105  may be any shape known to a person having ordinary skill in the art such that the two are capable of temporarily mating near distal end  102   b  of panel washer  102  so that arms  103 ,  105  will remain in the anchoring orientation while there exists a tension force on wire  110 . 
     Wire anchor  108  is preferably of a size and shape that prevents wire anchor  108  from passing through panel washer  102 , but also allows wire anchor  108  to at least partially rest in the gap formed between distal ends  103   b ,  105   b  of arms  103 ,  105 . The size and shape must also allow wire anchor  108  to advance from distal ends  103   b ,  105   b  towards proximal ends  103   a ,  105   a  when a tension force is exerted on wire  110 . Furthermore, the size and shape of wire anchor  108  includes a narrower cross-section than proximal end cap  100 , such that wire anchor  108  can pass through a hole in panel  112  that proximal end cap  100  cannot. 
     In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , wire anchor  108  may include a locking mechanism adapted to temporarily mate and lock with panel washer  102 . In this embodiment, the temporary locking mechanism is a snap buckle fastener. Wire anchor  108  has two or more semi-flexible locking arms  116  of a size and shape capable of being received by panel washer  102 . Panel washer  102  includes socket  118  near distal end  102   b  of panel washer  102 . Socket  118  is adapted to receive locking arms  116  when wire anchor  108  is near distal end  102   b  of panel washer  102  and locking arms  116  latch to socket  118 . In such an embodiment, locking arms  116  are released from socket  118  by inserting releasing mechanism  120  into proximal end  102   a  of panel washer  102 . Releasing mechanism  120  is designed to exert a force on locking arms  116  to flex locking arms  116  towards the central longitudinal axis of panel washer  102  and at the same time force locking arms  116  out of panel washer  102 . As locking arms  116  are flexed towards the central longitudinal axis, locking arms  116  lose contact with the socket  118  or at least the portion of socket  118  that was securing locking arms  116  in socket  118 . Additionally, locking arms  116  do not prevent wire  110  from passing through or connecting to wire anchor  108 . 
     A certain embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , includes proximal end cap  100  having an extended designed to be used when securing the anchoring system to a sidewall. The extended variation of proximal end cap  100  provides a distance between panel  112  and wire  110 . 
     In a certain embodiment, the wire is made of a transparent material. Moreover, in a certain embodiment, the pivoting connections may be accomplished by any techniques known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the anchoring system may utilize any materials known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. 
     Glossary of Claim Terms 
     Anchoring Orientation: is an orientation where some portion of the system has a greater with than the width of the proximal end cap. 
     Streamlined Orientation: is an orientation where no other feature of the device extends further from the central longitudinal axis of the panel washer than the proximal end cap. 
     The advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.