Article hanging device

A system for securing a maintaining an article, such as a picture frame, in a desired position on a vertical surface, such as a wall, is disclosed. The system comprises a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket has a first part of a pivot and includes at least one projecting nub. The second bracket has a second part of the pivot and at least one divot that are each cooperative with one of the at least one projecting nubs. In use, the first and second brackets are each fixed to either a rear surface of the article proximate a top edge thereof, or to the vertical surface. Each nub of the first bracket engages the cooperative divot of the second bracket when the article is in the desired position on the vertical surface. When jarred, the article pivots back and forth about the pivot until each nub becomes re-engaged with its cooperative divot, by gravity, to bring the article back into the desired position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to picture hanging, and more particularly to a system for hanging an article such as a picture frame on a vertical surface and maintaining same in a desired position.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

A nail or screw is typically used to hang a picture frame or other article on a wall surface, the nail after being pounded into the wall projecting enough to allow a clasp on the the picture frame may not be precisely centered on the picture frame, wherein gravity over time causes the picture to tilt away from level until the center of gravity aligns with the nail. To overcome this drawback, the conventional “sawtooth” type of clasp has been widely used, such a claps providing a plurality of pivot points about the nail such that one such pivot point may be selected that is closest to the vertical center of gravity of the picture frame. However, such a device still suffers from the drawback that if the picture frame is jarred it may not return to level due to friction of the picture frame against the wall. That is, gravity may not act sufficiently on the picture frame to overcome the friction of the lower edge of the picture frame against the wall to cause the picture frame to return to a level orientation. The object hangers taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,313 to Erickson et al. on Feb. 25, 1997, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,780 to Robertson on Sep. 16, 1986, suffer from the same drawbacks.

The prior art is replete with devices for overcoming this drawback. For example, U.S. Patent Application 2008/0078915 to Haje on Apr. 3, 2008, teaches a two-piece hanger device that serves to prevent the picture frame from moving once its level orientation is established. However, such a device merely transfers the force of a jarring impact from the picture frame to the hanger device, possibly damaging the picture frame, the hanger device, the wall surface to which it is attached, or all three. Such a device, when in use, results in two relatively proximate contact points between each piece of the hanger device. Depending on the height of the picture frame, a significant moment arm results about the top contact point with such a device, and it is the lower part of the picture frame that tends to be inadvertently jarred by passersby. Thus such a device is not reliable and can lead to damage of the picture frame and wall surfaces to which it is mounted.

The positioning and locking hanging system taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,812 to Lemire on Jun. 17, 2003, suffers from many of the same drawbacks. Further, such a device has numerous parts and is therefore expensive to manufacture and relatively complicated to use.

Therefore, there is a need for a hanging system that, when the picture frame is jarred, allows the picture frame to return to its original desired orientation reliably. Such a needed system would be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to install and use. Such a needed system would not be able to damage either the picture frame or the wall in the event of a particularly strong jarring of the picture frame. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present device is a system for securing a maintaining an article, such as a picture frame, in a desired position on a vertical surface, such as a wall. Typically the desired position is with the article level, for example. Such an article includes at least a rear surface, a top edge, and a bottom edge.

The system comprises a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket has a first part of a pivot and includes at least one projecting nub, and preferably at least two such nubs. The second bracket has a second part of the pivot and at least one divot (or aperture), and preferably two divots, that are each cooperative with one of the at least one projecting nubs.

In use, the first and second brackets are each fixed to either the rear surface of the article proximate the top edge thereof, or to the vertical surface. Either of the first or second brackets may be fixed to the article, for example, the other bracket being fixed to the vertical surface. Each nub of the first bracket engages the cooperative divot of the second bracket when the article is in the desired position on the vertical surface.

When jarred, the article pivots back and forth about the pivot until each nub becomes re-engaged with its cooperative divot, by gravity, to bring the article back into the originally installed or desired position. The contact points of the at least one nub with the second bracket result in minimal friction, allowing the first and second brackets to mutually rotate about the pivot until gravity causes the nubs and the divots to become re-engaged, guaranteeing that the article will assume the desired position when the article is jarred, such as through inadvertent contact, earthquake, or the like.

The present invention is a hanging system that, when the picture frame is jarred, allows the picture frame to return to its level orientation reliably. The present system is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to install and use. The present invention does not result in damage to either the picture frame or the wall in the event of a particularly strong jarring of the picture frame. Further, when multiple picture frames are installed at one location with the present invention, such picture frames may be readily interchanged to vary the display of the multiple picture frames, each first bracket being functional with the second bracket of other articles. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. Any use of the word “means” herein is intended to invoke means-plus-function limitation in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, even if the word “means” follows words describing the function.

FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate a system10for securing a maintaining an article20, such as a picture frame, in a desired position90(FIG. 15) on a vertical surface30, such as a wall. Typically the desired position90is with the article20level, for example. Such an article20includes at least a rear surface28, a top edge27, and a bottom edge22.

The system comprises a first bracket40and a second bracket50. The first bracket40has a first part61of a pivot60and includes at least one projecting nub70, and preferably at least two such nubs70. With the first bracket40oriented vertically such that the pivot is towards a top surface thereof, each nub70is formed at least partially below the pivot60and projecting orthogonally away from a vertical surface41(FIG. 8) of the first bracket40. The first part61of the pivot60is preferably substantially laterally centered on the first bracket40, a pair of nubs70being formed in the first bracket40, one nub70being formed to either side of the first part61of the pivot60.

The second bracket50has a second part65of the pivot60and at least one divot80, and preferably two divots80, that are each cooperative with one of the at least one projecting nubs70(FIGS. 11,13). With the second bracket50oriented vertically such that the pivot is towards a top surface thereof, each divot80is formed at least partially below the pivot60and projecting orthogonally away from a vertical surface51(FIG. 4) of the second bracket50. The second part65of the pivot60is preferably substantially laterally centered on the second bracket50, a pair of divots80being formed in the second bracket, one divot80being formed to either side of the second part65of the pivot60. Preferably the first and second parts61,65of the pivot60do not have any significant forward or backward play with respect to each other, and are instead constrained to relatively rotational movement when mutually engaged with gravity holding each part61,65together. Further, the terms “engaged” or “fully engaged” refer to the occurrence of one of the nubs70being as engaged as possible with one of the divots (or apertures)80, each nub70preferably being substantially the same size or even slightly larger than each cooperative divot80so that there is only one unique position90, that is, just one point of closest mutual approach of the brackets40,50as each nub70engages and then disengages the divot80. Further, each divot80and/or cooperating nub70has a gradual and continuous curvature so as to provide a smooth approach as the nub70engages the divot80.

Each bracket40,50may be formed from stamping a metal or plastic sheet material, for example, or by injection molding, or the like. The pivot60may include a projecting pin62that is rotationally captured by the second part65of the pivot60that includes a cooperative arcuate lip66(FIGS. 11-13). As such, the projecting pin62may be rested on the arcuate lip66to be held by gravity thereby, the projecting pin62being free to rotate with respect to the arcuate lip66. In one embodiment, reference points may be stamped or otherwise formed at the center points along each side of each bracket40,50. Further, while each bracket40,50is illustrated as generally rectangular in shape, any other suitable shape may be utilized. Likewise, while generally oval nubs70and divots80are illustrated, any suitable shapes may be used provided the corresponding pairs of nubs70and the divots80cooperate to urge the article20into the desired position90. Regardless, the pivot60must be strong enough to support the picture frame on the first bracket40.

In use, the first and second brackets40,50are each fixed to either the rear surface28of the article20proximate the top edge27thereof, or to the vertical surface30. Either of the first or second brackets40,50may be fixed to the article20, for example, the other bracket50,40being fixed to the vertical surface30. Each bracket40,50is fixed to either the article20or the vertical surface30preferably with common mechanical fasteners115(FIG. 4), such as screws or nails, at mounting apertures110(FIGS. 8 & 10). Adhesive may also be used, provided the adhesive is strong enough to support the weight of the article20and the system10on the vertical surface30without failing. Each nub70of the first bracket40engages the cooperative divot80of the second bracket50when the article20is in the desired position90on the vertical surface30, each nub70, divot80, and the pivot60working in cooperation.

When jarred (FIG. 14), the article20pivots back and forth about the pivot60until each nub70becomes re-engaged with its cooperative divot80, by gravity, guaranteeing the article20will be brought back into the originally installed, desired position90. The at least one nub70is contacting the second bracket50outside of its cooperative divot80, the bottom edge22of the article20is lifted away from contact with the vertical surface30. This is in part because the first and second parts61,65of the pivot60are only mutually free to move rotationally, as opposed to away from each other in depth, and also because the nubs70and divots80are positioned below the pivot60on each bracket40,50. As such, the bottom edge22of the article20achieves its closest approach to the vertical surface30when the nubs70and divots80are mutually aligned. Preferably at this closest approach point, the desired position90, the brackets40,50are substantially mutually parallel to each other, and the bottom edge22of the article20does not contact the vertical surface30, which would result in frictional contact between the article20and the vertical surface30, which might prevent the article20from achieving the desired position90. The contact points of the at least one nub70with the second bracket50result in minimal friction, allowing the first and second brackets40,50to mutually rotate about the pivot60until gravity causes the nubs70and the divots80to become re-engaged, guaranteeing that the article20will assume the desired position90when the article is jarred, such as through inadvertent contact, earthquake, or the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, illustrated inFIG. 12, each divot80of the second bracket50is formed in a malleable material100, such as “Jolly King” brand plastic clay, model name “Roma Plastilina Very Hard Consistency.” Such a malleable material100is fixed to the second bracket50, such that with the first bracket40fixed to the rear surface28of the article20proximate the top edge27thereof, and with the second bracket50first bracket40may be pushed toward the second bracket50so that the at least one nub70of the first bracket40depresses the malleable material100to form each cooperative divot80of the second bracket50. The malleable material100may be of the type that, once exposed to air, hardens over a predetermined period of time, such that the divots80formed therein then become permanently formed. Further, the malleable material100has a thickness (not shown) that is less than the distance between the first and second brackets40,50when the first and second brackets40,50are in the position90. As such, the malleable material100is not squeezed-out between the brackets40,50when the nubs70are forming the divots80.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, each divot80and corresponding nub70do not have to be the same size as other divot/nub pairs. Any number of divot/nub pairs may also be utilized, providing the pairs cooperate as herein described. Further, any shape or position of divot/nub pairs may also be utilized, provided at least more pairs are located below the pivot point60. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.