Abstract:
A crown molding hanger is provided. The crown molding hanger can be used to install a piece of crown molding requiring only the time and effort of a single craftsman. The crown molding hanger has a mounting member and a support member. The support member is removably coupled to the mounting member. In use, the mounting member is coupled to a surface via a coupler and then the support member is removably coupled to the mounting member. The support member has a support surface that engages and holds a length of crown molding while the coupler secures the mounting member, support member, and length of crown molding. The crown molding hanger can be reused many times while leaving no visible blemish to the wall during the typical installation process of a piece of crown molding using the crown molding hanger.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to tools for use by a craftsman and more particularly for supporting a piece of crown molding whereby a single craftsman can install the piece of crown molding to a surface. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As crown molding is typically installed adjacent ceilings, which are typically 8 feet tall or higher, and the crown molding may be long and awkward to hold by a single craftsmen, it has long been required that the process of installing a piece of crown molding to be a job that requires the time and expertise of two craftsmen. The first craftsman will fit and nail the left end of a piece of crown molding and a second craftsman will fit and nail the right end of a piece of crown molding. Then after the left and right sides of the piece of crown molding have been secured to the ceiling, the craftsmen will work their way towards the center of the piece of crown molding while fitting and nailing the crown molding along the way. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One objective of the crown molding hanger disclosed in the present application is to provide a tool that can be used repeatedly by a craftsman to install a multitude of crown molding pieces. 
     Another objective is to provide a crown molding hanger that allows a single craftsman to install a piece of crown molding, thereby, cutting the time and man-hours traditionally required to install crown molding. 
     Another objective it to provide a crown molding hanger that is safe to use and does not leave any visible blemishes on the wall during the installation of crown molding. 
     Another objective is to provide a crown molding hanger that is relatively inexpensive and does not require additional tools beyond those normally used to hang pieces of crown molding. 
     The invention provides such a crown molding hanger. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. 
     In one aspect the invention provides a crown molding hanger having a mounting member defining an attachment feature. The attachment feature is configured for attaching the mounting member to an attachment mechanism secured to and extending outward from a wall that secures the mounting member to the wall. The crown molding hanger further comprising a crown molding support member pivotably attached to the mounting member. The crown molding support member pivoting between a support position where the crown molding support member vertically supports a portion of a piece of crown molding and a released position. The crown molding hanger further comprising, a latch arrangement between the mounting member and the crown molding support member that is transitionable between a latched state and an unlatched state. When the latch arrangement is in the latched state, the latch arrangement prevents the crown molding support member from transitioning from the support position to the released position. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a crown molding hanger having a support member with a support surface that is non-parallel to the mounting member when the support member and mounting member are in the latched state. 
     In yet another aspect, a crown molding hanger where the angle between the support surface and the mounting member is between 35° and 65°. 
     According to yet another aspect, a crown molding hanger where the latch arrangement has flanges that are parallely extending relative to the mounting member. The mounting member has coupling apertures extending through the mounting member and the flanges of the latch arrangement are removably coupleable to a coupling surface located adjacent to the periphery of the coupling apertures. 
     In yet still another aspect, a crown molding hanger where the width of the support member is between 1″ and 2″ and the length of the support member is between 1.75″ and 3.75″. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a crown molding hanger having an attachment feature that includes an attachment notch. The attatchment feature forms a hook for engaging the attachment mechanism where the attachment notch defines a mouth that is formed in a side of the mounting member. 
     According to still yet another aspect, a crown molding hanger where the mounting member and the support member are composed of ABS plastic. 
     In yet another aspect, a crown molding hanger where the latch arrangement has a body with a flange and an abutment surface. The latch arrangement being in the latched state when the flange is engaged with the abutment surface and the latch arrangement being in the unlatched state when the flange is disengaged with the abutment surface. 
     According to another aspect, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding comprising attaching an attachment mechanism to a mounting surface to which a piece of crown molding is to be attached. Further comprising the step of, attaching the attachment feature of the crown molding hanger to the attachment mechanism. Further comprising, the step of securing the crown molding to the mounting surface with the mounting member located between the wall and the crown molding and the crown molding hanger in the support position with the crown molding being supported, at least in part, by the crown molding hanger. Further comprising the steps of, unlatching latch arrangement and transitioning the support member from the support position to the released position. Further comprising the steps of, disconnecting the attachment feature from the attachment mechanism and sliding the mounting member along the wall to remove the mounting member from between the crown molding and the wall while the crown molding remains secured to the wall. 
     According to another aspect of the prevent invention, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding comprising the step of, assembling the crown molding hanger by coupling a coupling member of a support member with a coupling surface of a mounting member, whereby the support member is pivotable relative to the mounting member. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding comprising the step of positioning a piece of crown molding between a mounting member and a support member with the support member being in the support position and the latch arrangement in the latched state. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding comprising the step of unlatching the latch arrangement which includes disengaging a first abutment forming a part of the mounting member from a second abutment forming a part of the support member. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding comprising the step of transitioning the support member from the support position to the released position which includes rotating the support member about a rotational axis from the support position to the released position such that the support member is no longer adjacent the crown molding. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding comprising the step of disengaging the first abutment from the second abutment which is performed by bending a flexible leg including one of the first or second abutments such that the first and second abutments no longer engage. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding, wherein the step of unlatching the latch arrangement includes disengaging a first set of first and second abutments and disengaging a second set of first and second abutments by squeezing a pair of legs toward one another, one of the abutments of the first set of abutments being provided by the first leg and one of the abutments of the second set of abutments being provided by the second leg. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding, wherein the attachment feature has a hook shape such that disconnecting the attachment feature from the attachment mechanism requires sliding the mounting member both vertically upward and horizontally. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding, wherein the mounting member includes an inwardly extending cutout portion that terminates in the mounting aperture. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding, wherein the support member has a base mounting member and the mounting member has a base receiving member. The base mounting member being engaged by the base receiving member to pivotably attach the support member to the mounting member. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding, wherein the support member has a coupling bar having positioning members and contact surface members. The base member has j-hooked receiving members having a receiving surface and the engagement of the contact surface members of the support bar with the j-hooked receiving surface pivotably coupled the support member to the mounting member. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding, wherein the support member has clearance apertures that provide clearance for the j-hooked receiving members when the support member is pivotably moved relative to the mounting member. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a crown molding hanger to hang a piece of crown molding, wherein the mounting member has clearance cutouts that provide clearance to the positioning members of the support member. 
     Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a crown molding hanger according to one aspect of the present application supporting a piece of crown molding; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a crown molding hanger according to one aspect of the present application; 
         FIG. 3  is a back perspective view of the crown molding hanger of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a crown molding hanger further illustrating the support member decoupled from the mounting member; 
         FIG. 5  is a back exploded perspective view of the crown molding hanger of  FIG. 4  further illustrating the support member decoupled from the mounting member; 
         FIG. 6  A is a front perspective partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a crown molding hanger further illustrating the support member in the process of being coupled with the mounting member; 
         FIG. 6  B is a front perspective partial cross-sectional view of the crown molding hanger of  FIG. 6  A further illustrating the support member removably coupled with the mounting member; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section of one embodiment of a crown molding hanger further illustrating the support member removably coupled with the mounting member; and 
     
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a crown molding hanger  10  according to one aspect of the present application. Further illustrated is a piece of crown molding  90  shown being held in the installation position by the crown molding hanger  10 . 
     As will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, a typical piece of crown molding  90  has a first and second long surface  91  and  92  and a first and second short surface  93  and  94 . The two long surfaces  91  and  92  are generally on opposing sides and extend between the two short surfaces  93  and  94 . The two short surfaces  93  and  94  typically extend at 90° angles relative to one another to facilitate mounting the crown molding  90 . As will further be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the typical installation of a piece of crown molding  90  will have the first short surface  93  attached to a first mounting surface  70  (e.g. a wall) and the second short surface  94  attached to a second mounting surface  71  (e.g. a ceiling). However, other installations may have only the first or second short surfaces  93  and  94  attached to the first mounting surface  70  or the second mounting surface  71 . 
     The crown molding hanger  10  of the present application acts to aid a user during the installation of a piece of crown molding  90  by securing and supporting a piece of crown molding  90  in the proper installation position, which frees the user from having to hold the piece of crown molding  90  while trying to simultaneously attach the first short surface  93  to the first mounting surface  70  and the second short surface  94  to the second mounting surface  71 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , a front perspective view and a back perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a crown molding hanger  10  according to the present application are illustrated. The crown molding hanger  10  has a mounting member  20  and a support member  30 . The mounting member  20  has a first surface  21  and a second surface  22 . 
     Further, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the mounting member  20  has a notch  23  and a hooked shaped mounting flange  24  that are made by cutting out a portion of the mounting member  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the notch  23  receives the attachment mechanism  80 , which supports the mounting member  20 . Furthermore, the hooked shaped mounting flange  24  prevents the inadvertent dislodgment of the mounting member  20  from the attachment mechanism  80 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting member  20  also has a cutout section  28 , which provides access to the notch  23 . As will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the cutout section  28  allows a user to first couple the attachment mechanism  80  to the first mounting surface  70  and then position the attachment mechanism  80  into the notch  23  via the clearance provided by the cutout section  28 . 
     Furthermore, as best illustrated in  FIG. 1 , during the installation of a piece of crown molding  90  using the crown molding hanger  10 , the attachment mechanism  80  can be inserted into the first mounting surface  70  at a location that will be covered by the piece of crown molding  90 . Once the attachment mechanism  80  is installed, the cutout section  28  allows the for the mounting member  20  to be removed from the attachment mechanism  80  by sliding the mounting member  20  along the first mounting surface  70 . As the mounting member  20  is slid parallel to the first mounting surface  70  (in a left to right direction and slightly bottom to top in  FIG. 1 ) the attachment mechanism  80  exits the notch  23  and then the cutout section  28 , whereby, the attachment mechanism  80  is no longer supporting the mounting member  20  and keeping the mounting member  20  coupled to the first mounting surface  70 . The user can then slide the mounting member  20  along the first mounting surface  70  (in a top to bottom direction of  FIG. 1 ) until the first short surface  93  of the piece of crown molding  90  is no longer contacting the mounting member  20  and the mounting member  20  is no longer located between the first mounting surface  70  and the first short surface  93 . The mounting member  20  can then be used at another location to install another piece of crown molding  90 . 
     Further, as will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art, many, but not all, attachment mechanism  80 , such as nails, screws, bolts, etc. leave holes or other imperfections in the wall even after their removal, which takes time and effort to repair. Thus, one of the advantages of the crown molding hanger  10  of the present application is that ability to insert the attachment mechanism  80  into a part of the first mounting surface  70 , which will never be seen after the installation of the crown molding  90 . Therefore, the user does not have to expend the time and effort to fix blemishes created by the insertion of the attachment mechanism  80  into the first mounting surface  70  because the portion of the first mounting surface  70  that the attachment mechanism  80  is inserted into is covered by the installed piece of crown molding  90 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-5 , the support member  30  has a first surface  31  and a second surface  32 . With reference to  FIG. 5 , the first surface  31  has a contact surface  35  that is non-parallel to the mounting member  20  when the support member  30  is removably coupled to the mounting member  20 . The contact surface  35  typically has a length  36  in the range between 1″ and 7″ and a width  37  between 0.25″ and 6″. However, in one exemplary preferred embodiment, the contact surface  35  has a length  36  in the range between 1.75″ and 3.75″ and a width  37  between 1″ and 2″. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the second surface  32  of the support member  30  has braces  33  that are integrally formed with the support member  30 . As will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the braces  33  provide structural support to the support structure  30 , and particularly to the portion that defines the support surface  35 , when the crown molding hanger  10  is holding a piece of crown molding  90 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Further, the crown molding hanger  10  has a latch arrangement  40  for operably securing the support member  30  in a support position relative to the mounting member  20 . The latch arrangement  40  is provided between and by the support member  30  and mounting member  20 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the latch arrangement  40  has a pair of bodies  42 . Each body  42  has a first leg  43  that extends outward from the second surface  32  of the support member  30 . The body then has a curved portion  45  that curves substantially 180° (e.g. ±10°). The body  42  then has a second leg  44  that extends back and beyond the first surface  31  of the support member  30 . The second leg  44  then terminates into a flange  41  that is parallely extending relative to the first and second surfaces  31  and  32  of the support member  30  and which is generally perpendicular to legs  43  and  44  of the body  42 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-5 , the mounting member  20  also has receiving apertures  25  extending through the mounting member  20 , which form part of the latch arrangement. Further, as best illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the second surface  22  of the mounting member  30  has a first abutment surface  26  located adjacent to each receiving aperture  25 . In the exemplary embodiment, the first abutment surfaces  26  are designed to engage the flanges  41  of the first coupling member  40  when the support surface  30  is removably coupled to the mounting member  20 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 . 
     Further illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5  is a base coupling member  50  that in the illustrated embodiment is integral with the support member  30 . The base coupling member  50  has tabs  53  that extend to a coupling bar  55 . The tabs  52  are spaced apart to provide clearance apertures  54  which extend through the mounting member  20 . The coupling bar  55  has enlarged positioning members  51  and smaller coupling surface members  52  that are distributed between the positioning members  51  of the coupling bar  55 . 
     Referring now to the embodiment of the mounting member  20 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5 , the mounting member  20  includes a base receiving members  60 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base receiving members  60  have j-hook receiving members  61  that contain contact surfaces  62  that define upward facing troughs for receiving the coupling surface members  52  to connect the mounting member  20  and the support member  30 . The j-hook receiving members  61  extend from the mounting member  20  and are located adjacent to pivoting cutouts  63  that extend through and between the mounting member  20 . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B , illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a support member  30  and mounting member  20  of a crown molding hanger  10  according to one aspect of the present application with the support member  30  being removably coupled to the mounting member  20 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 1 , in operation, the user will insert an attachment mechanism  80  into a first mounting surface  70 . Then, the user will position the mounting member  20  adjacent to the attachment mechanism  80  such that the attachment mechanism  80  can enter the cutout  28  of the mounting member  20  and be positioned to sit within the notch  23  of the mounting member  20 . Once the attachment mechanism  80  is sitting within the notch  23 , the user may release the mounting member  20  because the attachment mechanism  80  is vertically supporting the mounting member  20  and keeping it in place on the first mounting surface  70 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6A , typically when a user is ready to removeably couple the support member  30  to the mounting member  20 , the user will first align the base coupling member  50  of the support member  30  with the base receiving member  60  of the mounting member  20 , such that the coupling surface members  52  are located in the troughs of the corresponding receiving surfaces  62  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the base receiving members  60 . 
     Once the user has aligned the coupling surface members  52  with receiving surfaces  62 , the user can then apply a slight axial force to the support member  30  which will cause the surface members  52  to become engaged and secured along the interior receiving surface  62  of the of the base receiving members  60 . As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, this step can also be performed before attaching the mounting member  20  to the attachment mechanism  80 . 
     After the user has removably coupled the support member  30  to the mounting member  20 , the support member  30  will be able to rotate, about a rotational axis  98  created by coupling the base coupling member  50  and the base receiving member  60 . 
     The alignment members  51  of the coupling bar  55  prevent the improper engagement of the base coupling member  50  with the base receiving members  60 . As the alignment members  51  have a diameter that are larger than the diameter of the coupling surface members  52 , the user will only be able to complete the coupling between the base coupling member  50  and the base receiving member  60  if the coupling surface members  52  are properly aligned with the receiving surfaces  62 . Thus, a degree of human error is eliminated from the assembly process of the crown molding hanger  10 . 
     After the user has coupled the support member  30  to the mounting member  20 , the user will be able to pivot the support member  30  towards the mounting member  20  about rotational axis  98  and transition the crown molding hanger  10  from an unlatched state to a latched state. 
     The pivoting cutouts  63  of the mounting member  20  provide clearance for the positioning members  51  of the coupling bar  55  when the support member  30  is pivoted while coupled to the mounting member  20 . Likewise, the clearance apertures  54  of the support member  30  provide clearance for the j-hook receiving members  61  during the pivoting of the support member  30  relative to the mounting member  20 . 
     To move the crown molding hanger  10  from the unlatched state to the latched state, the user will need to pivot the support member  30  about the axis of rotation  98  toward the mounting member  20 , such that the components of the latch arrangement  40  can engage. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, to move the crown molding hanger  10  from the unlatched state to the latched state, the user will pivot the support member  20  toward the mounting member  20  such that the leg  44  and the flange  41  of the latch arrangement  40  are inserted through the receiving apertures  25  of the mounting member  20  and engage the first abutment surface  26  located on the second surface  22  of the mounting member  22 . It is noted that the portions of the mounting member  20  that provide the abutment surface  26  are offset from a main portion of the mounting member  20  to provide clearance for the flanges  41  to engage the abutment surfaces  26 . 
     In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the receiving apertures  25  of the mounting member  20  are spaced and located such that they have a resting width  49  that is larger than the width  29  of the receiving apertures  25 . In order to lath the latch arrangement  40 , the user will need to apply pressure (see arrows in  FIG. 6  A) to the second leg  44  of the body  42  in a direction towards the first leg  43  to latch and unlatch the latch arrangement  40 . As a user applies pressure to the second leg  44 , the second leg  44  shifts closer to the first leg  43  causing the body  42  to deform such that the width of the body  42  is compressed to a width that is less than the resting width  49  of the body  42  and less than the width  29  of the receiving apertures  25 . After the body  42  has been compressed to a width less than the width  29  of the receiving apertures  25 , the body  42  can be at least partially entered into the receiving aperture  25 . 
     Once leg  42  and flange  41  have entered the receiving apertures  25  of the mounting member  20 , the user can relieve the pressure being applied to the second leg  44  of the body  42 , which will cause the body  42  to return to its resting width  49 , whereby the flange  41  of the body  42  will engage with the first abutment surface  26  of the mounting member  20 . After the flange  41  has engaged with the first abutment surface  26 , the support member  30  will no longer be capable of pivoting relative to the mounting member  20  about rotational axis  98 , at which point the crown molding hanger  10  will have entered the latched state. 
     The crown molding hanger  10  can transition from the latched state back to the unlatched state by applying pressure on second leg  44  of the body  42  to compress the body  42 . This disengages the flange  41  from the first abutment surface  26 , such that the support member  30  can be pivoted about rotational axis  98  in a direction away from the mounting member  20 . At this point, the crown molding hanger  10  transitions from the latched state to the unlatched state. 
     Likewise, once the crown molding hanger  10  has entered the unlatched state, the support member  30  can be completely removed from the mounting member  20  by applying a slight linear force on the support member  30  in a direction away from the base receiving member  60 , which will cause the coupling surface members  52  to disengage with the receiving surface  62 , which will cause the base coupling member  50  to disengage the base receiving member  60 , which will completely disengage the support member  30  from the mounting member  20 . 
     In addition, as will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the latch arrangement  40  of the crown molding hanger  10  is designed so that a typical user will be able to compress either side of the legs  44  of the body  42  with one hand. This allows the user to transition the crown molding hanger  10  between the latched state and unlatched state with only one hand free. As will further be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, this allows a single user to simultaneously position the piece of crown molding  90  in its installation position (see  FIG. 1 ) while at the same time transitioning the crown molding hanger  10  from the unlatched state to the latched state and vice versa. Thus, the crown molding hanger  10  of the present application provides an efficient and effective way for a single user to simultaneously position and secure a piece of crown molding  90  into its installation position, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The ability to disengage the support member  30  from the mounting member  20  allows the user to easily store the crown molding hanger  10  in places with limited dimensions, such as a tool-box. 
     Further, the ability to disengage the support member  30  from the mounting member also allows a user to use a single mounting member  20  with a multitude of support members  30  or a multitude of mounting members  20  with a single support member  30 . For example, a user may use the same mounting member  20 , but have the option to select one support member  30  having one length  36  and width  37  for a larger piece of crown molding  90  and a second support member  30  having another length and width  37  for a smaller piece of crown molding  90 . Likewise, a user may use the same support member  30 , but select one mounting member  20  because one piece of crown molding  90  has a smaller weight and to select a second mounting member  20  for a second piece of crown molding  90  that has a larger weight. 
     In some applications, the user may want to first position the second short surface  93  of the piece of crown molding  90  against the first surface  21  of the mounting member  20  and the first short surface  92  of the piece of crown molding  90  against the second mounting surface  71  before pivoting the support member  30  about the axis of rotation  98  toward the mounting member  20  where the first long surface  91  of the piece of crown molding  90  will make contact with and thereby support the piece of crown molding  90 . 
     In such applications, the user will first position the piece of crown molding  90  between the support member  30  and the mounting member  20  before pivoting the support member  30  about the axis of rotation  98  towards the mounting member  20 . Once the user has positioned the piece of crown molding, the user can then pivot the support member  30  about the axis of rotation  98  towards the mounting member  20  until the latching arrangement  40  can transition the crown molding hanger  10  into the latched state where the contact surface  35  of the support member  30  will be engaged with the first long surface  91  of the piece of crown molding  90  and the first surface  21  of the mounting member  20  will be engaged with the first short surface  93  of the piece of crown molding  90 . In this position, the crown molding hanger  10  will support the piece of crown molding  90  in its installation position, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     In other instances, the user may want to first transition the crown molding hanger  10  into its latched state and then position the piece of crown molding  90  between the support member  30  and the mounting member  20 . In such instances, the user will simply couple the mounting member  20  to the first mounting surface  70  via an attachment mechanism  80  and then transition the crown molding hanger  10  into the latched state, whereby the support member  30  will be removably coupled to the mounting member  20  as described in detail above. Then the user can position the piece of crown molding  90  to enter between the support member  30  and the mounting member  20  of the crown molding hanger  10  that is in the latched state until the contact surface  35  of the support member  30  is engaged with the first long surface  91  of the piece of crown molding  90  and the first surface  21  of the mounting member  20  is engaged with the first short surface  93  of the piece of crown molding  90  and is in the proper installation position, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7  illustrating a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a crown molding hanger  10  in the latched state according to one aspect of the present application. As illustrated, when the crown molding hanger  10  is in the latched state an angle  99  is formed between the support surface  35  of the support member  30  and the first surface  21  of the mounting member  20 . 
     In typical applications, the angle  99  created between the support surface  35  and the first surface  21  of the mounting member  20  will be between 25° and 70°. However, in one exemplary preferred embodiment the angle  99  between the support surface  35  and the first surface  21  of the mounting member  20  is between 35° and 65°. 
     Further, it is also envisioned that one embodiment of a crown molding hanger  10  could have a multitude of support members  30  that are each individually capable of coupling with a single mounting member  20 . Each of the support members  20  form a different angle between the support surface  35  of the support member  30  and the first surface  21  of the mounting member  20  to accommodate different shaped pieces of crown molding  90 . 
     Likewise, it is also envisioned that according to one embodiment of the present application, a crown molding hanger  10  whereby a multitude of support members  30  can be used with a multitude of mounting members  20 , such that the crown molding hanger  10  can accommodate pieces of crown molding  90  having a variety of shapes, sizes, structural makeups, etc. For example, longer mounting member  20  could be provided for larger pieces of crown molding  90 . 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.