Abstract:
The instant invention uses spring-loaded clips that mount to the back of a frame. The picture is then hung on a wall by slipping these clips over hooks or nails secured to a wall. The hooks are secured in the spring-loaded clips and cannot be removed without a special tool. The clips are made in several sizes to support small, medium, large and very large frames. The clips are made from punched metal that is folded into the clip form. A small spring is secured to the clip to ensure smooth action of the clips in use and to provide a tight, secure fit when the picture is hung.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to picture hanging systems and particularly to picture hanging systems that are earthquake proof. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Picture hanging is a technique that goes back centuries. Today, there are a few different systems for hanging pictures, photographs and other framed art works. The simplest is to hang the frame on a nail driven into a wall. While easy and fast, it is not a very secure way to hang a picture. Another common way to hang a picture is to attach a length of wire to the back of the frame and to hang the wire on a nail or hook. While much more secure, it is subject to failure if the nail or hook is not properly fastened to a wall. 
   A special consideration involves hanging pictures in earthquake prone areas. A mild earthquake is capable of knocking a poorly hung piece of art off a wall. Even a well-hung piece of art, hung using conventional means, can be damaged by a strong earthquake. 
   There are many examples of systems for hanging pictures. None of these systems has been specifically designed for earthquake protection, but some could be used for that purpose. Examples of such devices are found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,790 to Ballin teaches a clip system that has two parts. One is mounted to a wall and the other is mounted to a picture frame. The device has overlapping arms that are clipped together to hang the painting. U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,470 to Siffert teaches a locking system for picture frames. This device was designed for public areas in which the pictures were subject to theft. The device uses pivoting clips that are spring loaded. One the lips are positioned in the locking position they are locked in place and cannot be removed. The device can be unlocked by using a thin tool. Although this device is useful, it requires modification to the wall to accommodate the springs. Another device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,948. This is another spring-loaded system that is designed to project above the top of the picture frame. Although useful, the elements that are visible above the frame distract from the picture. 
   Published application No. 2003/0039222 A1 to Holmes teaches an overlapping cleat system designed for hanging large objects. This is a variation of the common French cleat used in hanging cabinets in which a piece of wood that has the top beveled is secured to a wall and a second cleat, having the bottom beveled at the same angle is secured to the object. The object is then lifted and slid down until the two cleats mesh. Finally, U.S. Published Application No. 2004/0051022 A1 to Weck et al. teaches a large formed plate that has a number of nail holes formed at the top. A large hook is formed to receive a picture wire. The device is secured to a wall and the picture is hung by slipping the wire over the hook. 
   While useful, these devices all require complex clips, and fittings that must be attached to a wall to secure the picture. None are specifically designed to secure a picture in an earthquake. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The instant invention uses spring-loaded clips that mount to the back of a frame. The picture is then hung on a wall by slipping these clips over hooks, screws, or nails secured to a wall. The hooks are secured in the spring-loaded clips and cannot be removed without a special tool. The clips are made in several sizes to support small, medium, large and very large frames. 
   The clips are made from punched metal that is folded into the clip form. A small spring is secured to the clip to ensure smooth action of the clips in use and to provide a tight, secure fit when the picture is hung. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of the invention used for small frames. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the invention used for small frames. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the invention used for small frames as stamped from a piece of metal before forming. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the invention used for medium frames. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the invention used for medium frames. 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of the invention used for medium frames as stamped from a piece of metal before forming. 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the invention used for large frames. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the invention used for large frames. 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of the invention used for large frames as stamped from a piece of metal before forming. 
       FIG. 10  is a rear view of a picture frame showing the location of the frame clips used as part of the invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the tool used for removing small picture frames. 
       FIG. 12  is a front view of the tool used for removing small picture frames. 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of the tool used for removing large picture frames. 
       FIG. 14  is a front view of the tool used for removing large picture frames. 
       FIG. 15  is a front view of a second embodiment of the invention used for large frames. 
       FIG. 16  is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention used for large frames. 
       FIG. 17  is a front view of a second embodiment of the invention used for large frames as stamped from a piece of metal before forming. 
       FIG. 18  is a front view of a second embodiment of the invention used for very large frames. 
       FIG. 19  is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention used for very large frames. 
       FIG. 20  is a front view of a second embodiment of the invention used for very large frames as stamped from a piece of metal before forming. 
       FIG. 21  is a front view of a tool used for removing picture frames from the second embodiment of clip. 
       FIG. 22  is a side view of the tool used for removing picture frames from the second embodiment of clip. 
       FIG. 23   a  is a front view of the right hand tool used for removing picture frames from the second embodiment of clip. 
       FIG. 23   b  is a front view of the left hand tool used for removing picture frames from the second embodiment of clip. 
       FIG. 24  is a rear view of a picture frame showing the location of the second embodiment of frame clips used as part of the invention. 
       FIG. 25  is a detail view of one of the means for attaching the clip to a wall. 
       FIG. 26  is a detail view of a second means for attaching the clip to a wall. 
       FIG. 27  is a detail view of a third means for attaching the clip to a wall. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Note that the structure of the different sized clips is very similar, the main difference being that of size. The manufacturing techniques and materials are the same for all sizes of the first embodiment. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front view of the invention used for small frames is shown. This figure shows the clip that is mounted to the back of a frame (see  FIG. 10 ). The clip  10  has two holes  11  for fasteners, such as screws or nails  12  that secure the clip to the frame. The clip also has a spring body  13 , which is best shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a side view of the invention used for small frames. In this view, the spring body  13  is shown, as well as the fasteners  12 . The spring body has the following features. At the top of the clip is a retainer box  14 . At the bottom of the clip is a coil spring  15 , which has a front plate  16  attached. The front plate extends up to fit inside the retainer box  14  as shown. In this way, the coil spring provides a force that pushes the front plate forward against the front of the retainer box. A second spring  17  can be added to add further force to keep the front plate securely against the retainer box. The clips can be easily punched out of thin metal and formed into the desired clip shape.  FIG. 3  shows a typical piece stamped out for forming. Here, the retainer box  14  is formed by folding the top pieces to form the box. Note that the mounting holes are doubled as shown. The front plate  16  is shown at the bottom of the form. The space  15   a  is used to hold spring  15  when it is folded. The point  17  is for the small auxiliary spring. 
     FIG. 4  is a front view of the invention  20  used for medium frames. This clip is formed and used in the same manner as that of the small frame clip, described above. The only real difference is the size of the clip.  FIG. 5  is a side view of the invention used for medium frames. As before, the clip  20  has two holes  21  for fasteners, such as screws or nails  22  that secure the clip to the frame. The clip also has a spring body  23 , which is best shown in  FIG. 5 . The spring body  23  is shown, as well as the fasteners  22 . The spring body has the following features. At the top of the clip is a retainer box  24 . At the bottom of the clip is a coil spring  25 , which has a front plate  26  attached. The front plate extends up to fit inside the retainer box  24  as shown. In this way, the coil spring provides a force that pushes the front plate forward against the front of the retainer box. A second spring  27  can be added to add further force to keep the front plate securely against the retainer box. The clips can be easily punched out of thin metal and formed into the desired clip shape. 
     FIG. 6  is a front view of the invention used for medium frames as stamped from a piece of metal before forming. Here, a typical piece stamped out for forming is shown. The retainer box  24  is formed by folding the top pieces to form the box. Note that the mounting holes are doubled as shown. The front plate  26  is shown at the bottom of the form. The space  25   a  is used to hold spring  25  when it is folded. The point  27  is for the small auxiliary spring. 
     FIG. 7  is a front view of the invention used for large frames. This clip is formed and used in the same manner as that of the small frame clip, described above. The only real difference is the size of the clip.  FIG. 8  is a side view of the invention used for large frames. As before, the clip  30  has two holes  31  for fasteners, such as screws or nails  32  that secure the clip to the frame. The clip also has a spring body  33 , which is best shown in  FIG. 8 . The spring body  33  is shown, as well as the fasteners  32 . The spring body has the following features. At the top of the clip is a retainer box  34 . At the bottom of the clip is a coil spring  35 , which has a front plate  36  attached. The front plate extends up to fit inside the retainer box  34  as shown. In this way, the coil spring provides a force that pushes the front plate forward against the front of the retainer box. A second spring  37  can be added to add further force to keep the front plate securely against the retainer box. The clips can be easily punched out of thin metal and formed into the desired clip shape. 
     FIG. 9  is a front view of the invention used for large frames as stamped from a piece of metal before forming. It is a front view of the invention used for medium frames as stamped from a piece of metal before forming. Here, a typical piece stamped out for forming is shown. The retainer box  34  is formed by folding the top pieces to form the box. Note that the mounting holes are doubled as shown. The front plate  36  is shown at the bottom of the form. The space  35   a  is used to hold spring  35  when it is folded. The point  37  is for the small auxiliary spring. 
     FIG. 10  is a rear view of a picture frame  100  showing the location of the frame clips  10  used as part of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, the clips are made of lightweight metal and can be color-coded if desired to match the color of a wood frame. For example, a cherry wood frame can have red colored clips, and a walnut frame can have brown colored clips. Of course, the colors can be varied, as desired, or even left off the clips altogether. 
     FIG. 11  is a side view of the tool used for removing small picture frames. The tool  40  has a handle portion  41 , an end portion  42  and a center portion  43  that is angled to offset the end portion from the handle portion. The end portion  42  has a piece of rubber tape  44  applied as shown. The rubber tape provides a non-skid surface for the tool. The tool is used by passing the end portion behind the frame until it meets the front plate of the clip. The front plate is then pushed inwards, against the tension of the spring, until the hook is released. At that point, the side of the frame is free from the wall. This operation is repeated on the other side to remove the frame completely from the wall. 
     FIG. 12  is a front view of the tool used for removing small picture frames. Here, the rubber tape  44  is shown clearly. 
     FIG. 13  is a side view of the tool used for removing large picture frames. This tool  50  is larger than the first tool. It has a large paddle-like handle  51  to ensure a good grip on the tool. The end portion of the tool  52  is larger than that for the small frame tool. The rubber tape  54  is attached as shown. Note that this handle is also offset be an angled portion  53  as shown. The operation of the tool is the same as that of the small frame tool. 
     FIG. 14  is a front view of the tool used for removing large picture frames. As before, the rubber tape  54  is shown clearly in this view, as well as the paddle-like handle  51 , 
     FIG. 15  is a front view of a second embodiment of the invention used for large frames. This embodiment is slightly different in that it has four mounting holes to secure it to a frame. This embodiment also needs a considerable frame that has a large outer perimeter to allow the fasteners holding the clips to get a good purchase in the frame. In this embodiment, the clip  60  is formed as shown. This clip  60  has four holes  61  for fasteners, such as screws or nails  62  that secure the clip to the frame. The clip also has a spring body  63 , which is best shown in  FIG. 16 . Here, the spring body  63  is shown, as well as the fasteners  62 . The spring body has the following features. At the top of the clip is a retainer box  64 . At the bottom of the clip is a coil spring  65 , which has a front plate  66  attached. The front plate extends up to fit inside the retainer box  64  as shown. In this way, the coil spring provides a force that pushes the front plate forward against the front of the retainer box. A second spring  67  can be added to add further force to keep the front plate securely against the retainer box. The clips can be easily punched out of thin metal and formed into the desired clip shape. 
     FIG. 17  is a front view of a second embodiment of the invention used for large frames as stamped from a piece of metal before forming. In this embodiment, the retainer box  64  is formed by folding the top pieces to form the box. Note that the mounting holes in this embodiment are not folded and doubled. They are positioned on the outside of the form as shown. The front plate  66  is shown at the bottom of the form. The space  65   a  is used to hold spring  65  when it is folded. 
     FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20  show views of a second embodiment  70  of the invention used for very large frames. This clip is the same as that of  FIGS. 15-17  except for the size. This form is larger to accommodate even heavier frames. 
     FIGS. 21 ,  22 ,  23   a  and  23   b  show the tool  80  used to release the clip of the second embodiment. The difference between  FIGS. 21 and 23  is the shape of the handle portion  81  and  81   a .  FIG. 21  shows a generally square handle while  FIG. 23  shows an ovular handle. In addition,  FIGS. 23   a  and  23   b  show that these tools are used as a “right” tool and a “left” tool. The figures show the correct orientation for each tool. Of course, either tool can be used for either hand, as long as it is oriented properly. 
     FIG. 22  is a side view of the tool used for removing picture frames from the second embodiment of clip. Note that this tool has two pieces of rubber tape  85  secured to the end portion  86 . As mentioned above the tape on both sides of the end portion are to accommodate the tool being used as a right hand tool or a left hand tool. 
   This tool is used in the same manner as the smaller tools. The end portion is used to push the end plate back to release the hook from the clip. 
     FIG. 24  is a rear view of a picture frame  100  showing the location of the second embodiment of frame clips  60  used as part of the invention. 
   Finally, the frame with the clips is secured to a wall, as mentioned above by a means for attaching the clip to a wall. These means include a hook  90  ( FIG. 25 ), a nail  91  ( FIG. 26  or a screw  92  ( FIG. 27 ). 
   The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the invention without departing from the concept thereof.