Wall hanging system

A wall hanging system by which a wall décor item such as a ledge, a frame, artwork, or the like may be mounted to and hung from a wall. The wall hanging system may include a first mounting assembly that is coupled to the wall and a second mounting assembly that is coupled to the wall décor item. The first and second mounting assemblies may be engaged to mount the wall décor item from the wall. One of the first and second mounting assemblies may include a post and the other of the first and second mounting assemblies may include a cavity. The post may be inserted into an insertion portion of the cavity and then slid to a nesting portion of the cavity to lock the first mounting assembly to the second mounting assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Furniture is often purchased in a disassembled state due to its large size so that it is easier to package and transport to the end-use location. In some instances, the store at which the furniture is purchased will deliver the furniture to the end-user's home and assemble the furniture for the consumer. In other instances, the consumer must assemble the furniture by him or herself. This can be a great source of frustration to the consumer because the assembly instructions are often difficult for a lay person to understand and the furniture parts often do not fit together readily and seamlessly. Thus, a need exists for a mechanical coupling system that can be used for the coupling of pieces of an article of furniture together to assemble the article of furniture.

There are many instances in which people desire to hang an article from a wall. For example, people enjoy hanging artwork and other decorations from a wall in a home to personalize the space. People also hang artifacts and diplomas and other achievement indicators from the walls in their offices. Moreover, people hang shelves and other ledges from the to display items thereon. However, for many people the process of hanging articles from the wall is a daunting and stressful experience. Thus, a need exists for a simpler way to effectively hang various articles from a wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wall hanging system by which a wall décor item such as a ledge, a frame, artwork, or the like may be mounted to and hung from a wall. The wall hanging system may include a first mounting assembly that is coupled to the wall and a second mounting assembly that is coupled to the wall décor item. The first and second mounting assemblies may be engaged to mount the wall décor item from the wall. One of the first and second mounting assemblies may include a post and the other of the first and second mounting assemblies may include a cavity. The post may be inserted into an insertion portion of the cavity and then slid to a nesting portion of the cavity to lock the first mounting assembly to the second mounting assembly.

In one aspect, the invention may be a wall hanging system comprising: a first mounting assembly configured to be coupled to a wall, the first mounting assembly comprising at least one mounting element; a wall décor item; a second mounting assembly coupled to the wall décor item, the second mounting assembly comprising at least one mounting element that is configured to engage the at least one mounting element of the first mounting assembly to hang the wall décor item from the wall; wherein the at least one mounting element of one of the first and second mounting assemblies comprises a post having a longitudinal axis and the at least one mounting element of the other one of the first and second mounting assemblies comprises a cavity having an insertion portion and a nesting portion; and wherein the wall décor item is configured to be mounted to the wall by inserting the post axially into the cavity along the insertion portion of the cavity and then sliding the wall décor item relative to the first mounting assembly in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the at least one post until the at least one post nests within the nesting portion of the cavity.

In another aspect, the invention may be a wall hanging system comprising: a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to a wall, the mounting bracket comprising at least one cavity having an insertion portion and a nesting portion; a wall décor item; at least one mounting element coupled to the wall décor item, the at least one mounting element comprising a first portion that is embedded within the wall décor item and a post portion protruding from the wall décor item along a longitudinal axis; and wherein the wall décor item is mounted to the wall by inserting the post portion of the at least one mounting element axially into the at least one cavity along the insertion portion of the at least one cavity and then sliding the wall décor item relative to the mounting bracket in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis until the at least one post portion nests within the nesting portion of the at least one cavity

In yet another aspect, the invention may be a method of hanging a wall décor item from a wall, the method comprising: coupling a first mounting assembly to the wall, the first mounting assembly comprising a plate portion having a rear surface that faces the wall, a front surface opposite the rear surface, and an annular wall protruding from the front surface and defining a cavity having an insertion portion and a nesting portion; aligning a post protruding from a floor of a mounting recess of the wall décor item with the insertion portion of the cavity and moving the wall décor item towards the first mounting assembly until the post enters the insertion portion of the cavity; and sliding the wall décor item relative to the first mounting assembly in a direction that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the post so that the post slides from the insertion portion of the cavity to the nesting portion of the cavity, an inner surface of the annular wall of the first mounting assembly along the nesting portion of the cavity mating with an outer surface of the post to prevent the post from being removed from the cavity while the post is located within the nesting portion of the cavity.

In a further aspect, the invention may be a wall hanging system comprising: a wall décor item having at least one first type of mounting element; a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket, each of the first and second mounting brackets comprising at least one second type of mounting element, a first end having a first coupling feature, and a second end having a second coupling feature; an extension bracket comprising a first end having a third coupling feature and second end having a fourth coupling feature; wherein the first and second mounting brackets and the extension bracket are configured to be coupled to the wall so that the extension bracket extends between the first and second mounting brackets and the third coupling feature of the extension bracket mates with the second coupling feature of the first mounting bracket and the fourth coupling feature of the extension bracket mates with the first coupling feature of the second mounting bracket; and wherein the wall décor item is mounted to the wall via engagement between the at least one first type of mounting element of the wall décor item and the at least one second type of mounting element of the first and second mounting brackets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS.1-12D, the invention will be described with reference to a furniture assembly and/or a method of assembling furniture.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, a furniture part10is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplified embodiment, the furniture part10comprises a board100, one or more male couplers200, and one or more female couplers300. Of course, in some embodiments the board100may include either male couplers200or female couplers300, but not both. As shown, the one or more male and female couplers200,300are coupled or attached to the board100, the exact manner of such attachment being described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the furniture part10may be sold with the male and female couplers200,300coupled to the board100at the positions and locations necessary to ensure that a plurality of the furniture parts10can be coupled together to form an assembled article of furniture. In some embodiments, the male and female couplers200,300cannot be readily detached or otherwise separated from the boards100without causing damage to either the boards100or the male/female couplers200,300. In some embodiments, the male and female couplers200,300may be collectively referred to herein as a mechanical coupling system. In other embodiments, two furniture parts, each including a board100and male/female couplers200,300such that one of the boards includes male couplers200and another one of the boards100includes female couplers300, may be referred to herein as a mechanical coupling system or a furniture assembly.

In the exemplified embodiment, there are two of the male couplers200and two of the female couplers300coupled to the board100. However, there could be one or more than two of the male couplers200and one or more than two of the female couplers300coupled to the board100in other embodiments. Moreover, in still other embodiments there could be either one or more of the male couplers200and/or one or more of the female couplers300coupled to the board100. Thus, there do not need to be both the male and female couplers200,300attached to each board100. The locations of the male and female couplers200,300on the boards100are typically dictated by the manufacturer to make it easy for a consumer or end-user to assemble the furniture using the furniture parts10.

In use, a plurality of different furniture parts10can be coupled together to form an assembled article of furniture by mating the male couplers200of one of the furniture parts10with the female couplers300of another one of the furniture parts10in accordance with instructions provided by the manufacturer. This assembly will be described in greater detail below with reference toFIGS.7A-9B. The specific type of furniture that can be assembled using the furniture parts10is not limiting of the present invention. The specific type of furniture may include cabinets, sofas, tables, chairs, bookshelves, desks, bed frames, stools, stands, dressers, or any other type of furniture that can potentially be assembled by a consumer or end-user in their home or office.

In the exemplified embodiment, the board100is rectangular shaped, but the board100may take on any of a variety of different shapes including polygons, shapes that are not polygons, regular shapes, irregular shapes, or the like. Furthermore, although in the exemplified embodiment the board100is long and flat, it need not be flat in all embodiments but could include textures, contours, ridges, protuberances, hills, or the like on any of its surfaces or edges. In some embodiments, the board100need only form a part of an article of furniture so the final specifications of the article of furniture will dictate the shape and structure of the board100. Thus, in some embodiments the shape of the board100is not to be limiting of the present invention. The board100may also be referred to herein as a panel, a substrate, or a support structure.

In the exemplified embodiment, the board100has a front surface101, a rear surface102, and an edge103extending between the front and rear surfaces101,102. The edge103is a peripheral edge that extends around an entirety of a periphery of the board100. In the exemplified embodiment, the male couplers200are coupled to the board100along a portion of the edge103and the female couplers300are coupled to the board100along the front surface101. However, the invention is not to be so limited and in other embodiments the male couplers200could be coupled to the front and/or rear surfaces101,102and the female couplers300could be coupled to the rear surface102or the edge103. In other embodiments, there may be male couplers200and female couplers300coupled to the edge103and/or male couplers and female couplers200,300coupled to one or both of the front and rear surfaces101,102of the board100. The basic concept is that the male and female couplers200,300are positioned on first and second boards100at a location that enables the first and second boards100(and the first and second furniture parts10that include the first and second boards100and the male and female couplers200,300) to be coupled together to form a part of an assembled piece of furniture.

There are two main advantages of the male and female couplers200,300. First, they enable articles of furniture to be assembled without the use of any tools much quicker than was previously possible. Specifically, there is no need for hammers, screw drivers, hex keys, Allen wrenches, or the like and the male and female couplers200,300mate with one another readily and quickly during assembly. Furthermore, disassembly is just as easy as assembly and it can be accomplished without causing any damage to the furniture parts10so that the article of furniture can be reassembled at another location if so desired. Second, the male and female couplers200,300are able to be used in boards of varying quality. The boards100to which the male and female couplers200,300are coupled may be formed from fiberboard, which may include particle board (also referred to as low-density fiberboard, or LDF), medium density fiberboard (MDF) and hardboard (also referred to as high-density fiberboard, or HDF). In some embodiments, the boards100may be formed from a low quality or low grade particle board that is porous and has a low density. In some embodiments the density of the boards100may be in a range of 600-700 kg/m3, or more specifically 600-650 kg/m3or in a range of 650-700 kg/m3or 650-680 kg/m3. In some embodiments, the boards100may have a density that is below 700 kg/m3. The material of such low grade particle board may include flakes of poplar, pine, or the like along with various binders such as glue and adhesives.

Referring toFIGS.3A-3C, the male coupler200will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The invention is not to be limited to the specific structural details of the male coupler200in all embodiments and structural modifications may be possible without affecting its function. In fact, two alternative embodiments of male couplers will be described below with reference toFIGS.10A-11D and12A-12Dand it should be appreciated that even more alternative embodiments are possible.

The male coupler200may be formed from metal, plastic, or the like in various different embodiments. In one particular embodiment, the male coupler200may be formed from glass filled nylon. Of course, other materials are possible in other embodiments, including nylon and other thermoplastics such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polypropylene, or the like, although a strong and rigid material is preferable because it is being used to hold an assembled article of furniture together. The male coupler200could also be formed from wood or any of various metals in some embodiments. In some embodiments the male coupler200may be formed in an injection molding process, although it could also be formed by extrusion, 3D printing, or the like. As described below, the female coupler300may be formed from the same material as the male coupler200and in the same manufacturing process (e.g., injection molding, extrusion, 3D printing, or the like). As mentioned above, because the male and female couplers200,300are the only components that serve to couple the various furniture parts10together, the male and female couplers200,300should be formed from a strong, rigid material capable of supporting a reasonably large amount of weight and force.

The male coupler200extends along an axis A-A from a first end201to a second end202. The male coupler200comprises a first portion210configured for coupling the male coupler200to the board100and a second portion220configured for coupling the male coupler200to one of the female couplers300. The second portion220comprises a first engagement feature250that mates with an engagement feature of the female coupler300to achieve the coupling between those two components. The first portion210terminates at the first end201and the second portion210terminates at the second end202. The male coupler200has a generally cylindrical shape.

The first portion210comprises a generally cylindrical body211and a plurality of barbs212protruding radially from the cylindrical body211. The barbs212are axially spaced apart from one another along the length of the first portion210of the male coupler200. Each of the barbs212has a top surface213that is angled obliquely relative to the axis A-A and a bottom surface214that is perpendicular relative to the axis A-A. The top surface213of the barbs212faces the first end201of the male coupler200and the bottom surface214of the barbs212faces the second end202of the male coupler200. Due to the angles of the top and bottom surfaces213,214of the barbs212, the male coupler200can be inserted into an opening in one of the boards100with the first end201entering the opening first. Because the top surfaces213of the barbs212are angled, the barbs212will deflect as the male coupler200is inserted deeper into the opening in the board100. Because the bottom surfaces214of the barbs212are perpendicular to the axis A-A, the barbs212will substantially prevent the male coupler200from being removed from the opening and detached from the board100once it is coupled thereto. Thus, in some embodiments the male coupler200can be coupled to the board100without any adhesives such as glue and without having to weld the male coupler200to the board100. The barbs212create a sufficient coupling between the male coupler200and the board100to prevent it from being detached from the board100once installed. Of course, an adhesive such as glue could be used in some embodiments if needed in a particular situation.

In the exemplified embodiment, each of the barbs212extends circumferentially around an outer surface of the cylindrical body211of the first portion210of the male coupler200. Specifically, each of the barbs212extends annularly around the cylindrical body211of the first portion211of the male coupler200. In the exemplified embodiment, there is at least one gap215provided in each of the barbs212which allows the barbs212to have a greater degree of deflection as the first portion210of the male coupler200is being couple to the board100as described further herein below. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment there are two gaps215in each of the barbs212and the gaps in all of the barbs212are aligned in a direction of the axis A-A. The barbs212are arranged along the cylindrical body211in a vertically spaced apart manner. The exact number of the barbs212may be dictated by the length of the cylindrical body211and the spacing between the barbs212and is not to be limiting of the present invention in all embodiments.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first portion210of the male coupler200also comprises a cap portion216that extends from the cylindrical body211to the first end201and a lower cylindrical body217that extends from the cylindrical body211to the second portion220. In the exemplified embodiment, both the cap portion216and the lower cylindrical body217have a greater diameter than the cylindrical body211. The cap portion216and the lower cylindrical body217are devoid of any barbs.

In the exemplified embodiment, the second portion220of the male coupler200has an hourglass like shape and its shape forms the first engagement feature250. The second portion220of the male coupler200extends from the second end202of the male coupler200to a shoulder203, with the shoulder203extending radially from an end of the lower cylindrical body217of the first portion210of the male coupler200. When the first portion210of the male coupler200is inserted into an opening in the board100, abutment of the shoulder203of the second portion220of the male coupler200with the board100indicates that the male coupler200is in a fully inserted position. Thus, no portion of the second portion220of the male coupler200is located within the board100but the entirety of the first portion210of the male coupler200is located within the board100in some embodiments. In other embodiments, only portions of the first portion210of the male coupler200may be positioned within the board100.

The second portion220of the male coupler200includes an upper portion221that is adjacent to the first portion210and that includes the shoulder203and a lower portion222that extends to the second end202of the male coupler200. The upper and lower portions221,222are angled so as to converge at a waist region223of the second portion220of the male coupler200. The upper and lower portions221,222extend away from the axis A-A and diverge from one another with increasing distance from the waist region223. Stated another way, each of the upper and lower portions221,222are in the shape of a truncated triangle such that they are each truncated at the waist region223.

In the exemplified embodiment, the waist region223of the second portion220of the male coupler200forms the first engagement feature250. Thus, the first engagement feature250in this embodiment comprises a groove, recess, or channel that engages or otherwise mates with an engagement feature of the female coupler300to facilitate the coupling of the male coupler200to the female coupler300. More specifically, the first engagement feature250is the groove in combination with the angled sidewalls of the outer surface of the second portion220of the male coupler200as best seen inFIG.3C. This also facilitates the coupling of a first board100to a second board100when the male and female couplers200,300are coupled to the first and second boards100, respectively. Of course, the invention is not to be limited to the first engagement feature250being a groove or the like. In other embodiments, the first engagement feature250may be a protuberance and the second engagement feature of the female coupler300may be a groove, recess, or channel that receives the protuberance.

Referring toFIGS.4A-4F, the female coupler300will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the male coupler200, the female coupler300may also be formed from plastic, wood, metal, or the like, with nylon or glass filled nylon being one preferable but non-limiting material. The female coupler300may be formed or manufactured from injection molding, extrusion, 3D printing, or any other technique known in the art. The female coupler300should be formed of a material with sufficient strength to enable the male and female couplers200,300to mate with one another to assemble an article of furniture as described herein. In the exemplified embodiment, the female coupler300has a substantially oval shape. However, the invention is not to be limited by the shape of the female coupler300in all embodiments and the female coupler300may take on any desired shape, such as being square, rectangular, or the like. As long as the female coupler300is capable of mating or otherwise interacting with the male coupler200to mechanically couple those two components together, the shape of the female coupler300is not to be limiting of the invention in all embodiments.

The female coupler300comprises a body portion309that extends from a first end301to a second end302along an axis B-B. The female coupler300is elongated along a longitudinal axis C-C. The body portion309has an outer surface303and an inner surface304. Furthermore, a plurality of barbs310extend from the outer surface303of the female coupler300for coupling the female coupler300to one of the boards100. The barbs310are positioned in a spaced apart manner and extend around the entirety of the outer surface303(i.e. the barbs310are annular, although there may be gaps similar to that which was discussed above with regard to the barbs212of the male coupler200). Each of the barbs310has a top surface311and a bottom surface312. The top surfaces311of the barbs310are obliquely angled relative to the axis B-B and the bottom surfaces312of the barbs310are angled perpendicularly relative to the axis B-B. Thus, as the female coupler300is inserted into an opening in one of the boards100with the first end301entering the opening first, the angled top surfaces311of the barbs310permit the female coupler300to be inserted while the perpendicular bottom surfaces312prevent the female coupler300from be readily removed/detached from the board100.

The body portion309of the female coupler300comprises a flange317located at or adjacent to the second end302. The flange317protrudes from the outer surface303of the body portion309and in the exemplified embodiment is a continuous, uninterrupted protrusion.

The female coupler300comprises a cavity305that extends along the axis B-B, which may also be referred to herein as the cavity axis B-B. The cavity305is defined by the inner surface304. In the exemplified embodiment, the cavity305is open at each of the first and second ends301,302of the female coupler300. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment there is a first opening318in the first end301and a second opening319in the second end302. As a result, the cavity305extends entirely through the body portion309of the female coupler300. By having the cavity305open at both of the first and second ends301,302of the body portion309of the female coupler300, the female coupler300has an added flexibility which allows for the female coupler300to be slightly compressed when the female coupler300is inserted into an opening in a board. As will be described in more detail below, this facilitates creating a secure connection between the male and female couplers200,300. However, it should be noted that in some alternative embodiments the cavity305may be closed at one end and open at the other.

The cavity305comprises an insertion portion306, a nesting portion307, and a locking portion308. The nesting portion307is positioned between the insertion portion306and the locking portion308. Specifically, the nesting portion307extends from a first end361that is adjacent to the insertion portion306to a second end362that is adjacent to the locking portion308. The insertion portion306is the portion of the cavity305within which the male coupler200is received during coupling of two boards100together. Specifically, the male coupler200is configured to fit through portions of the openings318,319that are aligned with the insertion portion306of the cavity305, but the male coupler200may not fit within portions of the openings318,319that are aligned with the nesting and locking portions307,308of the cavity305.

The nesting portion307is the portion of the cavity305within which the male coupler200first becomes coupled to the female coupler300in the sense that the male coupler200cannot be removed axially from the cavity305when it is in the nesting portion307. (i.e., the male coupler200becomes locked to the female coupler300in the axial direction (i.e., in the direction of the axes A-A, B-B). The locking portion308of the cavity305is the end of the cavity305that is opposite the insertion portion306and it is located where the sidewalls of the cavity305(or the inner surface304) begin to curve into a semicircular shape.

The female coupler300comprises a second locking feature370that is configured to mate or otherwise interact with the first locking feature250of the male coupler200to couple the male coupler200to the female coupler300. In the exemplified embodiment, the second locking feature370is a protuberance. Specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the inner surface304of the female coupler300comprises a protuberance350that has a shape that corresponds with the shape of the outer surface of the male coupler200along the second portion220of the male coupler200. Specifically, the inner surface304of the female coupler300comprises a first portion320and a second portion321that are angled relative to the axis B-B so as to converge at a middle portion322. In the exemplified embodiment, the middle portion322forms an apex of the protuberance350. The first and second portions320,321diverge from one another and from the axis B-B with increasing distance from the middle portion322. Thus, the nesting portion307of the cavity305has an hourglass-like cross-sectional shape (best shown inFIG.4E) that is similar to the hourglass-like shape of the second portion220of the male coupler200. Thus, the middle portion or apex322of the protrusion350forms the second locking feature370and it nests within the groove of the waist portion223of the second portion220of the male coupler200to couple those two components together.

As seen, the first portion320lies on a first plane P1and the second portion321lies on a second plane P2. The first and second planes P1, P2intersect one another at an obtuse angle at the apex322. Furthermore, each of the first and second planes P1, P2intersects the cavity axis B-B at a location that is external to the cavity305. Moreover, a distance D1between the apex322of the protuberance350and the top end302of the female coupler300is constant along the nesting portion307of the cavity305. Thus, the apex322lies on a third plane P3and the top end302of the female coupler300lies on a fourth plane P4that is parallel to the third plane P3. Thus, the apex322is not angled downwardly or upwardly as it moves along the nesting portion307of the cavity305, but rather it is at a constant height along the inner surface304of the female coupler300.

As best seen inFIG.4C, the inner surface304of the female coupler300comprises a first portion362located on a first side of the longitudinal axis C-C and a second portion363located on a second side of the longitudinal axis C-C. When in a non-compressed state (i.e., when not coupled to the board100), the first and second portions362,363of the inner surface304located along the nesting portion307of the cavity305are parallel to one another. Thus, the width W of the nesting portion307of the cavity307(measured at the apex322) is constant along the nesting portion307of the cavity305.

Referring briefly toFIG.5, the female coupler300is illustrated in a compressed state. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, when the female coupler300is inserted into an aperture in a board, the board may slightly compress the female coupler, which may alter the relative orientation of the first and second portions362,363of the inner surface304of the female coupler300. AlthoughFIG.5illustrates the female coupler300by itself, this is done for clarity. It should be appreciated thatFIG.5illustrates the female coupler300as it appears when it is coupled to one of the boards, although the compressive appearance may be slightly exaggerated inFIG.5for ease of understanding. A comparison betweenFIGS.4C and5readily illustrates how the compressive forces of the board acting on the female coupler300adjust its structure and shape.

Specifically, the compressive forces F press on the outer surface of the female coupler300and cause portions of the female coupler300to deflect inwardly towards the cavity305. More specifically, the compressive forces F of the board cause portions of the nesting portion307of the cavity305to deflect inwardly. As a result, when the female coupler300is installed in one of the boards as described in greater detail below with reference toFIGS.6A-6D, the width W of the nesting portion307of the cavity305is no longer constant along the entirety of the nesting portion307of the cavity305. Rather, the width W of the cavity305measured in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis C-C increases from a first end360of the nesting portion307that is adjacent to the insertion portion306to a second end361of the nesting portion307that is adjacent to the locking portion308. Thus, the width W of the nesting portion307of the cavity305is at a minimum at the first end360and at a maximum at the second end361. Stated another way, the first portion362of the inner surface304located on the first side of the longitudinal axis C-C and the second portion363of the inner surface304located on the second side of the longitudinal axis C-C diverge from one another along the nesting portion307of the cavity305moving from the insertion portion306towards the locking portion308.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first end360of the nesting portion307is the location within the cavity305where the cavity305has the smallest width aside from the opposing ends of the cavity305. Specifically, the ends of the cavity305are rounded so clearly the width could be taken at some position along the ends where it is smaller than the width at the first end360of the nesting portion307. Thus, with the opposing ends of the cavity305excluded, the portion of the cavity305with the smallest width marks the first end360of the nesting portion307in the exemplified embodiment. To be more specific, the first and second ends of the cavity305may each comprise approximately one-tenth of the length of the cavity305(with the length being measured in a direction of the longitudinal axis C-C), and the first end360of the nesting portion307may be located at the portion of the cavity305with the smallest width that is outside of the first and second ends. Stated another way, the nesting portion307of the cavity305may be the portion of the cavity305where the sidewalls304on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis C-C continually diverge from one another

As a result, the first end360of the nesting portion307of the cavity305forms a sort of snap-over feature such that when the male coupler200is being coupled to the female coupler300, the male coupler must be moved past the first end360of the nesting portion307with a sufficient force to overcome the interference created between the walls of the female and male couplers200,300. To disengage decouple the male coupler200from the female couplers300, this must occur in reverse, which makes it unlikely that the male and female couplers200,300will become detached accidentally without user intention.

During assembly, the second portion220of the male coupler200is received within the insertion portion306of the cavity305of the female coupler300. Specifically, the second portion220of the male coupler200is inserted through the opening319in the second end302of the body portion309of the female coupler300. The male coupler200is unable to be received directly within the nesting and locking portions307,308of the cavity305because the cross-sectional shape of the second end202of the male coupler200does not fit into the opening319along the nesting and locking portions307,308(i.e., the cross-sectional shape of the second end202of the male coupler200does not fit into the cross-sectional shape at the open ends of the cavity305along the nesting and locking portions307,308). Rather, the only way to position the male coupler200within the nesting and locking portions307,308of the cavity305is to insert the male coupler200into the insertion portion306of the cavity305and then slide the male coupler200in a direction generally perpendicular to the axes A-A, B-B until it enters into the nesting and locking portions307,308of the cavity305.

Once the male coupler200is located within the nesting portion307of the cavity305, the inner surface304of the female coupler300(i.e., the protuberance350) engages/interacts with the outer surface of the second portion220of the male coupler200to couple the male and female couplers200,300together. When the second portion220of the male coupler200is located within the nesting portion307, the male coupler200cannot be moved axially (i.e, in the direction of the axes A-A, B-B) relative to the female coupler300. This occurs due to the shape of the outer surface of the second portion220of the male coupler200and the shape of the inner surface304(i.e., wall) of the female coupler300being corresponding shapes. Rather, to disengage the male coupler200from the female coupler300, the second portion220of the male coupler200must first be slid back to the insertion portion306of the cavity305, and then the male coupler200can be moved axially relative to the female coupler300to detach the male coupler200from the female coupler300. This process of coupling the male coupler200to the female coupler300and the resulting structure is best illustrated inFIGS.6A-8B, described below.

Referring briefly toFIGS.4G-4I, cross-sectional views of the female coupler300are provided at different axial locations therealong to show the differences in structure and shape of the inner surface304at different positions of the female coupler300.

Referring toFIGS.6A-6H, the process of attaching the male and female couplers200,300to the board100will be described. It should be appreciated that this process is generally completed by the manufacturer or factory so that this process is not something that a consumer or end user will likely need to do. First, as shown inFIGS.6A and6B, one or more first apertures130are formed into the board100for receiving the female couplers300. The first apertures130are preferably blind holes, meaning they do not extend through both of the front and rear surfaces101,102of the board100, but rather they have an opening131at one of the front and rear surfaces101,102and a floor132adjacent to the other of the front and rear surfaces101,102. However, it is possible in other embodiments for the first apertures130to extend entirely through the board100without affecting the function described herein. The first apertures130may be formed using a drill bit, router, or the like. In the exemplified embodiment, the first apertures130are oval in shape to match the shape of the female couplers300. The first apertures130may have a different shape but it should correspond to the shape of the female couplers300to ensure a tight/snug fit between the female couplers300and the board100. In some embodiments, the first apertures130may be slightly smaller than the female couplers300so that the board100applies a slight inward compressive force/pressure on the female couplers300as described herein above, although this is not required in all embodiments.

Next, referring toFIGS.6C and6D, the female couplers300are inserted into the first apertures130formed in the board100. The female couplers300are positioned with the first ends301facing the front surface101of the board100and then each of the female couplers300is moved towards and into one of the first apertures130. Once the female couplers300are fully positioned in the first apertures100, the second ends302of the female couplers300are flush with the front surface101of the board100. Specifically, the apertures130may include a recessed ledge on which the flanges317of the female couplers300nest so that the flanges317are flush with the front surface101(or other surface that the apertures130may be formed into) of the board100. Of course, the second ends302of the female couplers300could be recessed relative to the front surface101of the board100in other embodiments, but the second ends302of the female couplers300should not protrude from the front surface101of the board100. The barbs310of the female couplers300prevent the female couplers300from being detached from the board100or otherwise being removed from the first apertures130. Specifically, the barbs310are angled in such a manner that they do not prevent insertion of the female couplers300into the apertures130, but they make it difficult or impossible to remove the female couplers300therefrom without damaging the board100. An assembler may need to use a mallet, hammer, or other tool to assist in inserting the female couplers300into the first apertures130.

As noted above, the apertures130may be sized slightly smaller than the external diameter or width of the female couplers300. As a result, the sidewall defining the apertures130may apply pressure onto the exterior of the female couplers300, thereby causing the female couplers300to compress. This may decrease the size of the cavity305to create a tighter fit between the male and female couplers200,300.

Next, referring toFIGS.6E and6F, second apertures140are formed into a portion of the edge103of the board100. This can be done using a drill bit, a router, or the like. The holes140are blind holes in that they have a floor rather than extending entirely through the board100. In the exemplified embodiment, the second apertures140are round/circular or cylindrical in shape to match the shape of the second portions220of the male couplers200.

Next, referring toFIGS.6G and6H, the process of coupling the male couplers200to the board100within the second apertures130is illustrated. The second ends202of the male couplers200are aligned with the second apertures140and then the male couplers200are inserted axially (i.e., in the direction of its axis A-A) into the second apertures140until the shoulders203of the male couplers200contact the board100. The barbs212bend and flex to enable the male couplers200to be inserted into the second apertures140, but the barbs212substantially prevent the male couplers200from being removed from the second apertures140and detached from the board100after attachment thereto. An assembler may need to use a tool to assist in inserting the male and female couplers200, couplers300) into their respective openings130,140. For example, an assembler may use a hammer, a mallet, or the like in this step of the assembly process. Alternatively, the male and female couplers200,300may be coupled to the board100by a machine.

As shown inFIG.6H, when the male couplers200are coupled to the board100, the first portions210(not visible inFIG.6H) of the male couplers200are located entirely within the second apertures140and the second portions220of the male couplers200protrude from the edge103of the board100(or whichever surface of the board the male couplers200are attached to). Thus, the second portions220of the male couplers200are available and ready to be inserted into the female couplers300that are coupled to another board100.FIG.6Hillustrates a completed furniture part10that includes the board100, two of the male couplers200, and two of the female couplers300(although all are not needed to make a completed furniture part10in all embodiments as described herein above).

Although in the exemplified embodiment the female couplers300are coupled to the board100and then the male couplers200are coupled to the board100, the order in which this occurs during the manufacturing process is not limiting of the present invention. In some embodiments, the first and second apertures130,140may all be formed into the board100, and then the male and female couplers200,300may be coupled to the board100. In other embodiments, the male couplers200may be coupled to the board100before the female couplers300are coupled to the board100. The order in which the male and female couplers200,300are coupled to the board100makes no difference in the functionality of the device/system. In still other embodiments, the furniture part10may comprise the board100and one or more of the female couplers300but none of the male couplers200. In another embodiment, the furniture part may comprise the board100and one or more of the male couplers200but none of the female couplers300. Thus, depending on the needs of a particular furniture part for the assembly of an article of furniture, the number and types of the couplers (i.e., male and female couplers200,300) may be modified.

FIGS.7A and7Billustrate a first furniture part10aand a second furniture part10baligned in preparation for coupling those two furniture parts10a,10btogether. The first furniture part10acomprises a first board100a, two of the male couplers200a, and two of the female couplers300a. The second furniture part10bcomprises a second board100b, two of the male couplers200b, and two of the female couplers300b. Of course, the first furniture part10acould omit the female couplers300a,300band the second furniture part10bcould omit the male couplers200b,200bin some embodiments.

In this embodiment, the male couplers200aof the first furniture part10amate, interact, or engage with the female couplers300bof the second furniture part10bto couple the first and second furniture parts10a,10btogether.FIGS.7A and7Billustrate the male and female couplers200a,300baligned in preparation for being coupled together. The second portions220aof the male couplers200aprotrude from the board100aand are aligned with the cavities305b(specifically, the insertion portions306bof the cavities305b) of the female couplers300bthat are coupled to the board100b. As best seen inFIG.7B, the barbs212a,310bensure that the male and female couplers200a,300bremain coupled to the boards100a,100b. Furthermore, the shoulder203aof the male couplers200aprevents the second portions220aof the male couplers200afrom being inserted into the apertures in the board100a.

Referring toFIGS.8A and8B, the first and second furniture parts10a,10bare moved towards one another until the second portions220aof the male couplers200athat are coupled to the first board100aenter into the insertion portions306of the cavities305bof the female couplers300bthat are coupled to the second board100b. At this point, the male and female couplers200a,300bare not locked together and the first board100acan be readily moved away from the second board100b. It is not until the male couplers200aslide into the nesting portion307bof the female couplers300bthat the male and female couplers200a,300b, and hence also the first and second furniture parts10a,10b, become locked to one another. This is because the cross-sectional shape of the insertion portion306bof the cavities305bis different than the cross-sectional shape of the nesting portion307bof the cavities305b. Specifically, the nesting portion307bhas a cross-sectional shape that corresponds with the cross-sectional shape of the second portion220aof the male couplers200a, but the insertion portion306bhas no such cross-sectional shape.

Next, referring toFIGS.9A and9B, the first furniture part10ais slid relative to the second furniture part10b, thereby sliding the male couplers200aof the first furniture part10afrom the insertion portions306bto the nesting portions307bto the locking portions308bof the cavities305bof the female couplers300bof the second furniture part10b. As the male couplers200aslide from the insertion portions306bof the cavities305bto the nesting portions307bof the cavities305b, the inner surface304bof the female couplers300b(i.e., the second engagement feature370b) mates/interacts/engages the outer surface of the second portions220aof the male couplers200a(i.e., the first engagement feature250a). This interaction between the inner surface304bof the female couplers300band the outer surface of the second portions220aof the male couplers200a(which is also illustrated inFIGS.10A and10B) prevents the male couplers200afrom being able to move axially (in the direction of the axis A-A of the male couplers200a).

Thus, when the second portions220aof the male couplers200aare located within the nesting and locking portions307b,308bof the cavities305bof the female couplers300b, the male and female couplers200a,300bare effectively locked together (in the axial direction of the male couplers200a), which in turn locks the first and second furniture parts10a,10btogether. As noted above, in order to detach the male couplers200afrom the female couplers300b, the male couplers200amust first be slid within the cavities305bback into the nesting regions306band then the male couplers200acan be moved axially out of the cavities305. When the male and female couplers200a,300bare coupled together, this couples the first and second boards100a,100btogether. When the first and second boards100a,100bare coupled together, they form a furniture assembly or a portion of an article of furniture.

As noted above, the female couplers300a,300bmay be compressed when positioned within the board100b, which causes the outer surface of the male couplers200ato frictionally contact the inner surface of the female couplers300b. The frictional contact between the outer surfaces of the male couplers200aand the inner surfaces of the female couplers300bhelps to prevent the male couplers200afrom sliding back towards the insertion portions306bof the cavities305bof the female couplers300b. Rather, a user or some other external force must be applied in order to remove the male couplers200afrom the nesting portions307bof the female couplers300b.

Referring toFIGS.11A-11D, a male coupler400and a female coupler500are illustrated in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The male and female couplers400,500may be coupled to a board in the same manner as was described above. Thus, the male and female couplers400,500may be made to interact to couple a plurality of boards together to form an assembled article of furniture. The male coupler400is identical to the male coupler200except with regard to the structure of the second portion420of the male coupler400. Similarly, the female coupler500is identical to the female coupler300except with regard to the structure of the inner surface504of the female coupler500. Although no barbs are shown on the female coupler500, they may be included in some embodiments just as they are for the female coupler300.

In this embodiment, the second portion420of the male coupler400comprises a plurality of ring-like protrusions421and the inner surface504of the female coupler500comprises a plurality of notches509that receive the ring-like protrusions421as the male coupler400slides within the cavity505of the female couple500. Thus, engagement between the ring-like protrusions421of the male coupler400and the notches509of the female coupler500prevents the male coupler400from being axially separated from the female coupler500in the same manner as that which was described above. Thus, the structure of the first and second engagement features is somewhat altered in this embodiment as compared to the one previously described.

FIGS.12A-12Dillustrate yet another embodiment of a male coupler700and a female coupler800. The male and female couplers700,800can be coupled to a board in the same manner as described above with regard to the male and female couplers200,300. The male and female couplers700,800may be made to interact to couple a plurality of boards together to form an assembled article of furniture. Again, the only difference between the male coupler700and the male coupler200is with regard to the shape of the portion that interacts with the female coupler800and vice versa. Specifically, in this embodiment the engagement is more of a traditional dovetail-type joint. However, despite the change in shape, the function and operation remains the same as that which was described above. Thus, the structure of the first and second engagement features is somewhat altered in this embodiment as compared to the one previously described.

Referring toFIGS.13-32, the invention will be described with reference to a wall hanging system, or to a method of mounting a wall décor item from a wall.

Referring toFIGS.13-16, a wall hanging system1000is illustrated and will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wall hanging system1000generally comprises a first mounting assembly1400configured to be coupled to a wall1010, a wall décor item1100, and a second mounting assembly1200coupled to the wall décor item1100and configured to interact with the first mounting assembly1400to mount the wall décor item1100on the wall1010. Thus, the first and second mounting assemblies1400,1200are configured to engage or mate with one another while the first mounting assembly1400as affixed to the wall1010in order to mount the wall décor item1100to the wall1010. The first and second mounting assemblies1400,1200may be referred to herein collectively as a coupling assembly1150.

In the exemplified embodiment, the wall décor item1100is a ledge or shelf. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the wall décor item1100may be any item that a user desires to hang from a wall or other vertical or semi-vertical surface. Thus, for example, the wall décor item1100may be a frame, an artifact, a canvas, a photograph, a drawing, a mirror, an artistic work, a cabinet, a bookshelf, a chalkboard, a whiteboard, a case, a hook, a hat rack, a coat rack, or the like. Moreover, although the term wall is used herein, the wall could be any supporting structure, such as a cabinet, a bookshelf, a dresser, or the like on which the wall décor item1100may be mounted.

The wall décor item1100of the exemplified embodiment is a shelf or ledge that comprises a front surface1101, a rear surface1102opposite the front surface1101, and an upper surface1103that extends between the front and rear surfaces1101,1102. The rear surface1102is configured to face, and potentially abut, the wall1010when the wall décor item1100is mounted to the wall1010. The upper surface1103is a horizontal surface that it extends horizontally from the wall1010when the wall décor item1100is mounted to the wall1010to form a support ledge. Thus, various items may be stored and/or supported on the upper surface1103for display or other purposes. For this reason, it may be important for the wall décor item1100to be hung in a level manner to avoid items that are stored thereon from falling off.

In the exemplified embodiment, the wall décor item1100is a ledge or shelf as noted above. The wall décor item1100has the front surface1101and the rear surface1102, with the rear surface1102being positioned adjacent to and/or in abutting contact with the wall1010when the wall décor item1100is mounted to the wall1010. In the exemplified embodiment, the wall décor item1100comprises a mounting recess1120formed into the rear surface1102. The mounting recess1120is bounded by a floor1121and one or more sidewalls1122extending from the floor1121to the rear surface1102. Thus, the floor1121of the mounting recess1120is recessed relative to the rear surface1102of the wall décor item1100. The mounting recess1120forms a pocket-like cavity in the rear of the wall décor item1100which can hide the first and second mounting assemblies1400,1200from view when the wall décor item1100is mounted to the wall1010using the first and second mounting assemblies1400,1200.

As noted above, in this embodiment the second mounting assembly1200is coupled to the wall décor item1100. Specifically, the second mounting assembly1200is coupled to the wall décor item1100within the mounting recess1120. In this embodiment, the second mounting assembly1200comprises a first mounting element1210and a second mounting element1220that are coupled to the wall décor item1100in a spaced apart manner. Of course, in other embodiments a single mounting element (i.e., the first mounting element1210) or more than two mounting elements may be used and form part of the second mounting assembly1200. The number of mounting elements that are used may depend on a width of the wall décor item1100, as measured from a first side1104thereof to a second side1105thereof.

Each of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220(and also any other mounting elements that may be included) of the second mounting assembly1200comprises a first portion1201that extends into and is embedded within the wall décor item1100to couple the first and second mounting elements1210,1220to the wall décor item1100and a second portion1202that protrudes from the wall décor item1100and interacts with the first mounting assembly1400to mount the wall décor item1100from the wall1010. The first portion1201may comprise barbs, screw threads, or other locking features to ensure a secure attachment is achieved between the first and second mounting elements1210,1220and the wall décor item1100. In some embodiments, an adhesive or glue may be used to affix the first portion1201of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220to the wall décor item1100. In the figures, some of the features are only labeled on the first mounting element1210, but it should be appreciated that the second mounting element1220is identical to the first mounting element1210.

More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the first portions1201of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200extend into the floor1121of the mounting recess1120of the wall décor item1100and the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200protrude from the floor1121and into the mounting recess1120. The second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220terminate at a distal end1203. In the exemplified embodiment, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220do not protrude beyond the rear surface102of the wall décor item100. Stated another way, the distal ends1203of the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220are flush with or recessed relative to the rear surface1102of the wall décor item1100. Thus, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220are located entirely within the mounting recess1120of the wall décor item1100. This helps to ensure that the coupling assembly1150(including the first and second mounting assemblies1400,1200) is hidden from view when the wall décor item1100is hanging from the wall1010. In other embodiments, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200may protrude beyond the rear surface1102of the wall décor item1100. Furthermore, in other embodiments the mounting recess1120of the wall décor item1100may be omitted and the first and second mounting elements1210,1220may be coupled directly to the rear surface1102of the wall décor item1100rather than being recessed within the mounting recess1120. Such variations fall within the scope of the claimed invention as will be discussed in some greater detail below.

The second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220have a particular shape that is intended to mate with a corresponding shape of a portion of the first mounting assembly1400to facilitate the coupling of the second mounting assembly1200to the first mounting assembly1400. In the exemplified embodiment, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220have an hourglass shape. That is, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220have a waist portion1204and first and second truncated cone portions1205,1206that meet at the waist portion1204. The narrow ends of the first and second truncated cone portions1205,1206face each other and meet at the waist portion1204.

Although the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220have an hourglass shape in the exemplified embodiment, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. The second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220may have other shapes that mate with the shape of the first mounting assembly1400, including being in the shape of a singular truncated cone, having various ridges or protrusions that nest within various channels or grooves of the first mounting assembly1400, or the like. Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited by the particular shape of the second portions1202as shown in the drawings in all embodiments.

The first and second mounting elements1210,1220may be secured to the wall décor item1100by pre-drilling holes in the rear surface1102or floor1121and then inserting the first portions1201of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220into the pre-drilled holes. In other embodiments, the first and second mounting elements1210,1220may be able to create holes in the rear surface1102or floor1121of the wall décor item1100rather than having pre-drilled holes. In such embodiments, there may be grooves formed in the distal end1203of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220for insertion of a driver of a screwdriver or similar tool.

In the exemplified embodiment, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200form a post that protrudes from the rear surface1102of the wall décor item1100or from the floor1121of the mounting recess1120of the wall décor item1100. Thus, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220form a male-type coupler that is intended to be inserted into a female-type coupler (which is formed by the first mounting assembly1400as discussed further below). The post formed by the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220extends from the floor1121of the mounting recess1120to the distal end1203along a longitudinal axis Z-Z.

Referring toFIGS.14-16B, the first mounting assembly1400will be described in greater detail. In the exemplified embodiment, the first mounting assembly1400is a bracket member (also referred to herein as a mounting bracket)1401that is configured to be coupled to the wall1010prior to mounting the wall décor item1100on the wall1010. Thus, the first mounting assembly1400comprises a plate portion1402having a front surface1403and a rear surface1404opposite the front surface1403and first and second mounting elements1410,1420. When the first mounting assembly1400is coupled to the wall1010, the rear surface1404of the plate portion1402faces and/or abuts against the wall1010. Although two mounting elements1410,1420are depicted in the exemplified embodiment, a single mounting element or more than two mounting elements may be used in alternative embodiments. In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second mounting elements1410,1420are female-type couplers that mate with the male-type couplers of the second mounting assembly1200for purposes of mounting the wall décor item1100on the wall. However, it should be appreciated that the female-type couplers could be located on the wall décor item1100and the male-type couplers could be located on the wall1010in other embodiments, one of which will be described below with reference toFIGS.23and26.

The plate portion1402comprises a plurality of mounting holes1409that extend through the thickness of the plate portion1402from the front surface1403thereof to the rear surface1404thereof. Each of the mounting holes1409is sized and configured to receive a fastener, such as a screw, a nail, a bolt, or the like, which can pass through the mounting hole1409and into the wall1010for purposes of affixing the first mounting assembly1400to the wall1010. The mounting holes1409could be omitted in other embodiments, and in such embodiments the first mounting assembly1400may be coupled to the wall1010using other means, such as double-sided adhesive tape, hook-and-loop fastener strips, or the like.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first mounting element1410comprises a first annular wall1411that protrudes from the front surface1403of the plate portion1402and the second mounting element1420comprises a second annular wall1421that protrudes from the front surface1403of the plate portion1402. The first and second annular walls1411,1421are arranged on the plate portion1402in a spaced apart manner. The first annular wall1411surrounds a first cavity1412and the second annular wall1421surrounds a second cavity1422. Although the first and second annular walls1411,1421are used to form the first and second cavities1412,1422in the exemplified embodiment, in other embodiments the plate portion1402may be thicker between the front and rear surfaces1403,1404and the first and second cavities1412,1422may be formed directly into the front surface1403of the plate portion1402. The first and second cavities1412,1422may extend through the full thickness of the plate portion1402from the front surface1403to the rear surface1404, as shown inFIG.15. In other embodiments, the first and second cavities1412,1422may have a floor rather than forming passageways through the full thickness of the plate portion1402. In either case, the first mounting element1410comprises the first cavity1412and the second mounting element1420comprises the second cavity1422.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second annular walls1411,1421are formed as a part of the bracket member1401. However, the invention is not to be so limited and in other embodiments the first and second annular walls1411,1421may be stand-alone components that define the first and second cavities1412,1422. Thus, the first and second annular walls1411,1421may form distinct components that can be separately fitted within a hole in the wall1010or separately coupled to the wall1010so as to extend therefrom while still allowing for mounting of the wall décor item1100on the wall1010in the manner described herein. However, using the bracket member1401may be preferable as it will make it easier for an end user to ensure that the first and second cavities1412,1422are in alignment so that the wall décor item1100will be level once mounted on the wall1010.

In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first and second annular walls1411,1421is oval. Moreover, the first cavity1412defined by the first annular wall1411comprises an insertion portion1413and a nesting portion1414. Similarly, the second cavity1422defined by the second annular wall1421comprises an insertion portion1423and a nesting portion1424. As best seen inFIG.16B, the nesting portions1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1422have a smaller width than the insertion portions1413,1423of the first and second cavities1412,1422. Thus, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200can be inserted into the first and second cavities1412,1422along the insertion portions1413,1423, but not along the nesting portions1414,1424. Rather, once inserted into the insertion portions1413,1423, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200can be slid along the first and second cavities1412,1422from the insertion portions1413,1423to the nesting portions1414,1424.

Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the insertion portions1413,1423have a diameter or transverse cross-sectional area that is larger than the outer diameter or outer transverse cross-sectional area of the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200. This ensures that the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220can readily enter into and be removed from the cavities1412,1422along the insertion portions1413,1423thereof. The nesting portions1414,1424have a diameter or cross-sectional area that is smaller than the diameter or cross-sectional area of the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220so that the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220cannot be inserted axially into or removed axially out of the first and second cavities1412,1422along the nesting portions1414,1424thereof.

The first cavity1412is defined by an inner surface (or sidewall)1415of the first annular wall1411and the second cavity1422is defined by an inner surface (or sidewall)1425of the second annular wall1421. When the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220are located in the insertion portions1413,1423, the inner surface1415,1425does not contact the outer surface of the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220. When the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220are located in the nesting portions1414,1424, the inner surface1415,1425contacts the outer surface of the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220to create a snug fit therebetween. Stated another way, the first and second cavities1412,1422have a shape along the nesting portions1414,1424thereof that matches or corresponds to the shape of the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220have an hourglass shape, and the first and second cavities1412,1422also have an hourglass shape along the nesting portions1414,1424thereof. As noted previously, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220are not limited to an hourglass shape, and the shape of the nesting portions1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1424may change based on the shape of the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220.

The point here is that the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220are capable of being inserted axially (in the direction of the longitudinal axis Z-Z) into the first and second cavities1412,1422along the insertion portions1413,1423thereof but are not capable of being inserted axially into the first and second cavities1412,1422along the nesting portions1414,1424. Rather, once in the insertion portions1413,1423, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220can be slid in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis Z-Z from the insertion portions1413,1423into the nesting portions1414,1424. Then, once the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220are located within the nesting portions1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1424, the first and second mounting elements1210,1220cannot be removed from the first and second cavities1412,1422by pulling in the axial direction (i.e., the direction of the longitudinal axis Z-Z). This is due to the locking fit and interaction between the outer surface of the second portion1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220with the sidewall or inner surface1415,1425which defines the first and second cavities1412,1424(best shown inFIG.15, which illustrates the snug fit between the second portion1202of the first mounting element1210and the nesting portion1424of the first cavity1412). Rather, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220must first be slid into the insertion portions1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1414, and only then the first and second mounting elements1210,1220may be removed from the first and second cavities1412,1414.

To state the above succinctly, the post (which is formed by the second portion1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200) is configured to move axially (in the direction of the longitudinal axis Z-Z of the post) into and out of the first and second cavities1412,1422of the first mounting assembly1400along the insertion portions1413,1423of the first and second cavities1412,1422. The post is prevented from moving axially into and out of the first and second cavities1412,1422of the first mounting assembly1400along the nesting portions1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1422. The inability of the post to move axially into and out of the first and second cavities1412,1422along the nesting portions1414,1424there of is due to the post and the nesting portions1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1422having mating shapes that form an interlock between the post and the sidewall1415,1425that defines the first and second cavities1412,1422when the post is located within the nesting portion1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1422.

Referring toFIGS.16A and16B, the first mounting assembly1400, or more specifically the plate portion1401thereof, extends from a first side edge (or a first end)1430to a second side edge (or a second end)1431along an axis Y-Y. The first side edge1430comprises a first coupling feature1432and the second side edge1431comprises a second coupling feature1434. The first and second coupling features1432,1434are configured to allow for an interaction between two or more of the first mounting assemblies1400or between the first mounting assemblies1400and extension brackets which will be described below with reference toFIGS.29A-30B.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first coupling feature1432located along the first side edge1430is a recess and the second coupling feature1434located along the second side edge1431is a protrusion. More specifically, the first coupling feature1432is a dovetail recess and the second coupling feature1434is a dovetail protrusion. Thus, the dovetail protrusion of the second coupling feature1434of one of the first mounting assemblies1400may be received within the dovetail recess of the first coupling feature1432of another one of the first mounting assemblies1400(or a dovetail recess of an extension member as mentioned above and described in greater detail below) to form a track comprising multiple of the first mounting assemblies1400coupled to the wall1010. Although in the exemplified embodiment the first coupling feature1432is a dovetail recess and the second coupling feature1434is a dovetail protrusion, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the first and second coupling features1432,1434may take on other shapes that interact or mate with each other as described herein. For example, the recess and protrusion could have simple square or triangular or other polygonal shapes or any other shape as desired while still enabling the protrusion to nest within the recess for purposes of forming a track as described herein and best shown inFIGS.31and32.

Referring toFIGS.17-22sequentially, the manner of mounting the wall décor item1100to the wall1010will be described. There are two views for each “step” in the process, including a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, to facilitate the description. Referring first toFIGS.17and18, the first step is to couple the first mounting assembly1400to the wall1010. In the exemplified embodiment, this may be achieved by inserting fasteners (screws, nails, bolts, or the like) through the mounting holes1409of the plate portion1401of the first mounting assembly1400. As noted above, in other embodiments double-side adhesive tape, hook-and-loop fastener strips, or the like may be used.

In the exemplified embodiment, when the first mounting assembly1400is coupled to the wall1010, the first and second mounting elements1410,1420of the first mounting assembly1400protrude from the wall1010in preparation for engagement with the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200, which are coupled to the wall décor item1100. Specifically, as noted above the first and second mounting elements1410,1420comprise the annular walls1411,1421which protrude from the front surface1403of the plate portion1401, and thus the annular walls1411,1421also protrude from the wall1010. However, in other embodiments first and second mounting elements1410,1420(and in particular the first and second cavities1412,1422) could be fully embedded within the wall1010rather than protruding therefrom. In such an embodiment, the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200may protrude from the rear surface1102of the wall décor item1100in order to enable the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220to properly engage the first and second cavities1412,1422of the first and second mounting elements1410,1420of the first mounting assembly1400as described herein. Regardless, once the first mounting assembly1400is coupled to the wall1010, the wall décor item1100is positioned with its rear surface1102facing the wall1010as shown inFIGS.17and18. More specifically, the wall décor item1100is positioned so that the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200coupled thereto are aligned with the insertion portions1413,1423of the first and second cavities1412,1422of the first and second mounting elements1410,1420of the first mounting assembly1400.

The first cavity1412has a first opening1416through which the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200pass in order for the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220to enter the insertion portions1413,1423of the first and second cavities1412,1422of the first mounting assembly1400. The second portions202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200are sized and configured to pass through the portion of the first and second openings1416,1426that is aligned with the insertion portions1413,1423of the first and second cavities1412,1422while being prevented from passing through the portion of the first and second openings1416,1426that is aligned with the nesting portions1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1422. Thus, as discussed above, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200may only be configured to pass into the first and second cavities1412,1424when they are aligned with the insertion portions1413,1423of the first and second cavities1412,1422.

Referring toFIGS.19and20, the next step is to move the wall décor item1100closer to the wall1010until the rear surface1102of the wall décor item1100is adjacent to or abuts the wall1010. As the wall décor item1100is moved closer to the wall1010in this manner, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200pass into the insertion portions1413,1423of the first and second cavities1412,1422of the first and second mounting elements1410,1420of the first mounting assembly1400. As best seen inFIG.20, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200are located in the insertion portions1413,1423of the first and second cavities1412,1422of the first and second mounting elements1410,1420of the first mounting assembly1400.

In this embodiment, once the wall décor item1100is in this position, the first mounting assembly1400(including the entirety of the bracket member1401which includes the plate portion1402and the first and second annular walls1411,1421) nests within the mounting recess1120of the wall décor item1100. In particular, the rear surface1102of the wall décor item1100abuts against the wall1010so that the first mounting assembly1400is hidden from view within the mounting recess1120of the wall décor item1100. As a result, the coupling assembly1150including the first coupling assembly1200(the first and second coupling elements1210,1220thereof) and the second coupling assembly1400(the bracket member1401and all other constituent parts thereof) are hidden from view (as shown inFIGS.13,19, and20) and none of the aforementioned coupler components are visible when the wall décor item1100is mounted on the wall1010).

Next, referring toFIGS.21and22, the wall décor item1100is slid or translated along the wall1010relative to the first mounting assembly1400(as shown by the arrows as well inFIGS.19and20) to move the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200from the insertion portions1413,1423of the first and second cavities1412,1422to the nesting portions1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1422. The wall décor item1100, and hence also the posts formed by the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200, are slid in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis Z-Z of the posts when moving from the insertion portions1413,1423to the nesting portions1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1422.

As discussed above, the nesting portions1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1422have a shape that matches the cross-sectional shape of the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200. This is seen inFIG.22, whereby the inner surface of the first and second mounting elements1410,1420which define the first and second cavities1412,1422mates/interacts/engages the outer surface of the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200. Thus, when the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200are located in the nesting portions1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1422of the first mounting assembly1400, the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200cannot be removed from the first and second cavities1412,1422unless the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200are first slid back to the insertion portions1413,1423of the first and second cavities1412,1422.

Specifically, reviewingFIGS.15and22concurrently, the interaction between the first and second cavities1412,1422of the first and second mounting elements1410,1420of the first mounting assembly1400and the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1310,1320of the second mounting assembly1200can be readily seen when the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200are located in the nesting portions1414,1424of the first and second cavities1412,1414. The interaction of the inner surfaces of the first and second mounting elements1410,1420of the first mounting assembly1400and the outer surfaces of the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200prevents separation of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200from the cavities1412,1422of the first and second mounting elements1410,1420of the first mounting assembly1400, and hence also prevents detachment of the wall décor item1100from the wall1010.

In some embodiments, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly may be similar or identical in structure and function to one of the male couplers200,400,600described above with reference to the furniture assembly shown inFIGS.1-12D. Furthermore, the cavities1412,1422of the first and second mounting elements1410,1420of the first mounting assembly1400may be similar or identical in structure and function to the female couplers300,500,700described above with reference to the furniture assembly shown inFIGS.1-12D. Thus, the description for those components provided above may be applicable and applied to these components.

As noted briefly above, in the exemplified embodiment the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200are located within the mounting recess1120. In other embodiments, the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200may protrude from the rear surface1102of the wall décor item1100. Similarly, in the exemplified embodiment the first and second cavities1412,1422of the first and second mounting elements1410,1420of the first mounting assembly1400are located along an outside of the wall1010(i.e., they protrude from the wall1010). In other embodiments, the first and second cavities1412,1422may be located in holes that are formed into the wall1010. In this situation, the same engagement between the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200and the first and second mounting elements1410,1420of the second mounting assembly1200is possible as described herein, although the mounting recess1120may be omitted and the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220of the second mounting assembly1200will extend into the wall1010rather than being positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the wall1010as with the exemplified embodiment.

Referring toFIGS.23-26, another embodiment of a wall hanging system2000is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wall hanging system2000is similar to the wall hanging system1000described above with reference toFIGS.13-22, except for the modifications described herein below.

The wall hanging system2000comprises a wall décor item2100that is configured to be hung on or mounted from a wall2010. The wall décor item2100is identical to the wall décor item1100described above, and thus the structural details thereof will not be repeated herein the interest of brevity. However, briefly the wall décor item2100comprises a front surface2101, a rear surface2102, and a mounting recess2120having a floor2121formed into the rear surface2102. When the wall décor item2100is mounted to the wall2010, the rear surface2102of the wall décor item2100faces or abuts against the wall2010.

The wall hanging system2000comprises a first mounting assembly2400that is configured to be coupled directly to the wall2010and a second mounting assembly2200that is configured to be coupled directly to the wall décor item2100. The first and second mounting assemblies2400,2200are configured to interact and/or mate with one another to mount or hang the wall décor item2100from the wall2010.

The first mounting assembly2400comprises a first mounting element2410and a second mounting element2420that are configured to be coupled to the wall2010. The first mounting element2410comprises a first portion2411configured to be embedded within the wall2010when the first mounting element2410is coupled to the wall2010and a second portion2412that protrudes from the wall2010. The second mounting element2420comprises a second portion2421configured to be embedded within the wall2010when the second mounting element2420is coupled to the wall2010and a second portion2422that protrudes from the wall2010. In the exemplified embodiment, the first portions2411,2421of the first and second mounting elements2410,2420comprises screw threads or barbs that facilitate that coupling of the first and second mounting elements2410,2420to the wall, much in the same way that a wall anchor or screw is attached to a wall. The second portions2412,2422of the first and second mounting elements2410,2420form posts that protrude from the wall2010. The second portions2414,2422have an identical shape to the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220described above (i.e., an hourglass shape). Thus, the description of the second portions1202of the first and second mounting elements1210,1220is applicable to the second portions2412,2422of the first and second mounting elements2410,2420.

The second mounting assembly2200comprises a first mounting element2210and a second mounting element2220. In this embodiment, the first and second mounting elements2210,2220are separate components that are separately coupled to the wall décor item1100within the mounting recess2120. In other embodiments, the first and second mounting elements2210,2220could be part of a singular bracket member similar to the first mounting assembly1400described above. The first mounting element2210comprises a first portion2211that is embedded within the wall décor item2100and a second portion2212that protrudes from the floor2121of the mounting recess2120of the wall décor item2100. The second mounting element2220comprises a second portion2221that is embedded within the wall décor item2100and a second portion2222that protrudes from the floor2121of the mounting recess2120of the wall décor item2100. The first portions2211,2221of the first and second mounting elements2210,2220may include barbs or the like to affix the first and second mounting elements2210,2220to the wall décor item2100. In other embodiments, the first portions2211,2221of the first and second mounting elements2210,2220may be affixed to the wall décor item2100using adhesive, friction fit, or the like.

In this embodiment, the second portions2212,2222of the first and second mounting elements2210,2220of the second mounting assembly2200each define a cavity that is configured to interact with the second portions2412,2422of the first and second mounting elements2410,2420of the first mounting assembly2400which is mounted on the wall2010. Specifically, the second portion2212of the first mounting element2210comprises a first cavity2213having an insertion portion2214and a nesting portion2215and the second portion2222of the second mounting element2220comprises a second cavity2223having an insertion portion2224and a nesting portion2225. The details of the first and second cavities2213,2223is the same as the first and second cavities1412,1422described above and will not be repeated herein in the interest of brevity.

In this embodiment, the mounting of the wall décor item2100to the wall2010is the same as that which was described in the previous embodiment. Specifically, the rear surface2102of the wall décor item2100is made to face the wall2010and then the wall décor item2100is moved towards the wall2010(and towards the first mounting assembly2400which is on the wall2010) until the second portions2412,2422of the first and second mounting elements2410,2420of the first mounting assembly2400extend into the insertion portions2214,2224of the first and second cavities2213,2223of the first and second mounting elements2210,2220of the second mounting assembly2200. Next, the wall décor item2100is slid along the wall2010so that the second portions2412,2422of the first and second mounting elements2410,2420of the first mounting assembly2400slide into the nesting portions2215,2225of the first and second cavities2213,2223of the first and second mounting elements2210,2220of the second mounting assembly2200. At this point, the wall décor item2100is mounted on the wall2010and cannot be removed without sliding the first and second mounting elements2410,2420of the first mounting assembly2400back into the insertions portions2214,2224as has been described above.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second mounting elements2210,2220are coupled to the wall décor item2100in a horizontal orientation. That is, cavities2213,2223of the first and second mounting elements2210,2220are elongated in a horizontal direction (between lateral sides of the wall décor item2100). However, the invention is not to be so limited and in other embodiments the first and second mounting elements2210,2220could be coupled to the wall décor item2100in a vertical orientation such that cavities2213,2223of the first and second mounting elements2210,2220are elongated in a vertical direction (between top and bottom surfaces of the wall décor item2100). With the first and second mounting elements2210,2220in a vertical orientation, the wall décor item2100may be slid/translated downwardly to move the first and second mounting elements2410,2420of the first mounting assembly2400from the insertion portions2214,2224of the cavities2213,2223of the first and second mounting elements2210,2220to the nesting portions2215,2225of the cavities2213,2223of the first and second mounting elements2210,2220instead of horizontally as with the other embodiments described herein.

Referring toFIGS.27and28, another embodiment of a wall hanging system3000is illustrated and will be described. The wall hanging system3000generally comprises a wall décor item3100, a first mounting assembly3400configured to be mounted to a wall3010, and a second mounting assembly3200configured to be mounted to the wall décor item3100. This embodiment is very similar to the wall hanging system2000described above with reference toFIGS.23-26, with the only difference being that there is no mounting recess in the rear surface of the wall décor item3100.

Specifically, the wall décor item3100has a front surface3101and a rear surface3102. The second mounting assembly3400comprises a first mounting element3410and a second mounting element3420which are identical to the first and second mounting elements2410,2420of the second mounting assembly2400described above. In this embodiment, the first and second mounting elements3410,3420are positioned within openings in the rear surface3102of the wall décor item3400. More particularly, in this embodiment the first and second mounting elements3410,3420are positioned entirely within openings in the rear surface3102of the wall décor item3400such that there is no portion of the first and second mounting elements3410,3420which protrudes from the rear surface3102of the wall décor item3100. Thus, when the wall décor item3100is mounted to the wall3010, the first and second mounting assemblies3400,3200are hidden from view, but they are disposed within the openings in the rear surface3102of the wall décor item3100rather than being located within a mounting recess as with the previously described embodiments. The wall décor item3100is mounted to the wall3010due to engagement between the first and second mounting elements3210,3220of the second mounting assembly3200and the first and second mounting elements3410,3420of the first mounting assembly3400in the same manner as described above (inserting posts into insertion portion of cavity and then sliding the posts into the nesting portion of the cavity).

Referring toFIGS.29A and29B, an extension bracket4000is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. One or more of the extension brackets4000are configured to be mounted on the wall alongside of one or more of the bracket members1401of the first mounting assembly1400described above with reference toFIGS.13-16Bin order to form a track that maintains alignment on the wall, as discussed further below with reference toFIGS.31and32.

The extension bracket4000comprises a first side edge4001and a second side edge4002. The first side edge4001comprises a third coupling feature4003and the second side edge4002comprises a fourth coupling feature4004. In the exemplified embodiment, the third coupling feature4003is a recess and the fourth coupling feature4004is a protrusion. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the third coupling feature4003comprises a dovetail recess and the fourth coupling feature4004comprises a dovetail protrusion. Of course, the dovetail shapes are merely exemplary and are not required in all embodiments, so long as the interaction between the extension brackets4000and the mounting brackets1401of the first mounting assembly1400can be achieved as described herein below.

The extension bracket4000is elongated as it extends from the first side edge4001to the second side edge4002. The extension bracket4000also comprises a top edge4005and a bottom edge4006. In the exemplified embodiment, the extension bracket4000has a generally rectangular shape, although other shapes are possible in other embodiments and the invention is not limited to this unless recited in the claims. The extension bracket4000also comprises a front surface4007and a rear surface4008. Finally, in the exemplified embodiment there are several holes4009formed in the extension bracket4000that extend from the front surface4007to the rear surface4008. The holes4009are merely provided to reduce the volume of material used to form the extension bracket4000. Thus, the holes4009could be omitted or be in other shapes in other embodiments. The extension bracket4000also has recessed regions on its front and rear surfaces4007,4008(only the front surface is visible in the drawings, but the rear surface has an identical appearance) for the same purpose of reducing the amount of material used to form the extension bracket4000.

The extension brackets4000may be made from any desired material, such as plastic, metal, wood, or the like. In fact, all of the mounting assemblies and mounting elements and extension brackets described herein may be formed from metal, plastic, wood, or any other desired rigid material that can facilitate an adequate coupling of the components as has been described herein.

Referring toFIGS.30A and30B, another embodiment of an extension bracket4100is illustrated. The extension bracket4100is very similar to the extension bracket4100described above, except for the addition of a level mount4150. Thus, the extension bracket4100comprises a first side edge4101comprising a first coupling feature4103and a second side edge4102comprising a second coupling feature4104. The first and second coupling features4103,4104are a dovetail recess and a dovetail protrusion just as with the same features on the extension bracket4000. The extension bracket4100comprises a top edge4105, a bottom edge4106, a front surface4107, and a rear surface4108.

As noted above, the only difference between the extension bracket4100and the extension bracket4000is that the extension bracket4100includes a level mount4150. The level mount4150comprises a first C-shaped mount element4151and a second C-shaped mount element4152that protrude from the front surface4107of the extension bracket4100. Of course, the exact shape of the mount elements4151,4152may be modified from that shown in order to accommodate a level, so the shape of the level (spirit level, bubble level, or the like) may dictate the shape of the mount elements4151,4152and their openings. The level mount4150is configured to support a level4160, as shown inFIG.30B. That is, the level4160can be snap-fit into the openings in the first and second C-shaped mount elements4151,4152. Thus, in this embodiment the level4160is a separate component from the extension bracket4100and it is detachably coupled thereto along the level mount4150. In other embodiments, the level4160may be a permanent part of the extension bracket4100such that it cannot be detached therefrom. The level4160is used to ensure that the extension bracket4100(and track formed by the side-by-side interaction of the extension bracket4100and one or more of the first mounting assemblies1400ofFIGS.16A and16B) are coupled to or mounted on a wall in a level manner.

FIGS.31and32illustrate the interaction between the first mounting assemblies1400described with reference toFIGS.16A and16Band the extension brackets4000described above with reference toFIGS.29A and29Bto form a track5000. Of course, the extension brackets4100could easily be swapped in for the extension brackets4000as they have the same shape and structure with the added benefit of being able to hold a level to ensure that the track5000is level on the wall.

Referring first toFIG.31, the track5000comprises two of the first mounting assemblies1400a,1400band one of the extension brackets4000positioned between the two of the first mounting assemblies1400a,1400b. The first side edge4001of the extension bracket4000is adjacent to the second side edge1431aof one of the first mounting assemblies1400aand the second side edge4002of the extension bracket4000is adjacent to the first side edge1430bof the other one of the first mounting assemblies1400b. Thus, the first coupling feature4002of the extension bracket4000interacts or mates with the second coupling feature1434aof the first one of the first mounting assemblies1400aand the second coupling feature4004of the extension bracket4000interacts or mates with the first coupling feature1432bof the second one of the first mounting assemblies1400b. Because these coupling features are all dovetail joints (dovetail recesses and dovetail protrusions), they mate such that the dovetail protrusions fit snugly within the dovetail recesses.

In some embodiments, there may be no direct physical coupling between the extension bracket4000and the wall. That is, the first and second ones of the first mounting assemblies1400a,1400bmay be directly affixed to the wall using fasteners (nails, screws, adhesive strips, etc.) as described above, but no such fasteners may be used to attach the extension bracket4000to the wall. Rather, the extension bracket4000may remain adjacent to the wall due solely to its interaction with the first and second ones of the first mounting assemblies1400a,1400b. Of course, in other embodiments some type of fastener may be used to affix the extension bracket4000to the wall in addition to its interaction with the first mounting assemblies1400a,1400b.

FIG.32illustrates another track6000which includes three of the first mounting assemblies1400a,1400b,1400cand two of the extension brackets4000a,4000b. This illustrates that the length of the track can be modified as needed depending on the size of the wall décor item that is going to be mounted to the wall using the track, and more specifically using the first mounting assemblies1400. Thus, for example, a wall décor item having a width between 6 and 15 inches may be accommodated on the wall with just one of the first mounting assemblies1400. A wall décor item having a width between 15 and 26 inches may be accommodated on the wall with two of the first mounting assemblies1400and one of the extension brackets4000(using the track5000ofFIG.31). A wall décor item having a width between 26 and 36 inches may be accommodated on the wall with three of the first mounting assemblies1400and two of the extension brackets4000(using the track6000ofFIG.32). The number of the mounting elements of the second mounting assembly which are affixed to the wall décor item as described herein may be adjusted based on the side of the wall décor item to match with the number of the mounting elements of the first mounting assemblies1400that are affixed to the wall.