Flush mounting security frames and hardware

Picture frames and frame bases attached to pictures that are able to be mounted flush against a wall are described. Special recessed areas and frame connections make contact with one or more wall brackets. The wall brackets are anchored into the wall and are connected to the frame in a number of ways. One of the ways is with the use of a screw that has a threaded bar moving on it. The screw goes through the top of the frame and is locked to the inside face of the frame so that it remains in place when the screw is turned. When the screw is turned the threaded bar moves into a recess in the wall bracket and pushes the picture up until the picture bottom hits a second wall bracket. This second bracket locks the picture onto the wall. The embodiments presented demonstrate various other ways of locking the picture flush against the wall, as well as, ways for leveling and adjusting the position of the picture.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 The invention concerns a customized picture frame base, and devices that
 are attached onto a wall or other surface to securely support the frame
 flush against the wall, thereby providing a measure of security against
 theft. The frame base can be an integral part of the picture frame or be a
 separate unit that has the picture frame attached to it. The devices that
 support the frame are anchored into the wall and provide a number of
 mechanical or electromechanical means for securely engaging the frame.
 Some wall mounting brackets also incorporate a measure of adjustability on
 the position of the picture on the wall.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 Known security picture hangers in commercial production used for hanging
 pictures onto walls are not able to hold a picture so that it is flush
 against the wall. They require a gap for the insertion of a special
 locking tool. They also lack any significant capability for changing the
 position of the picture after the picture is attached to them It is useful
 to be able to have a picture frame, or picture frame base that is attached
 to a picture, that can be securely hung flush against a wall. This makes
 it difficult for a thief to pry the picture off the wall. The
 incorporation of adjustability allows the picture to be leveled and the
 center of the picture to be moved to a desired position, sometimes without
 having to remove the picture from the wall.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 This invention couples frame configurations with the hardware used to
 support the picture on the wall. The picture frame has a recessed, and
 sometimes inwardly wedged, back area. This area provides space for the
 inward frame wedge and for the connections to the supporting hardware
 affixed to the wall. This allows the picture sides to be held flush
 against the wall.
 Simple screws with threaded T-bars and hooks, electrical devices, and
 spring latches are some of the means that can be employed for holding the
 picture in place on the wall. With each of these means comes varying
 degrees of adjustability for the picture.
 One or more screws can be placed in the top, bottom, or sides of the
 picture frame so that a threaded T-bar or hook on that screw engages a
 bracket anchored into the wall. By turning the screw the T-bar or hook
 moves the picture so that an inward wedge of the picture frame becomes
 locked into that bracket, or locked onto a second bracket anchored into
 the wall. A top and bottom screw system, with two wall brackets, enables
 the picture to be positioned vertically and horizontally. For this
 configuration the horizontal positioning is accomplished by sliding the
 picture sideways when the hooks are loose on the brackets. Loosening and
 tightening opposing screws makes vertical adjustments. When the screws are
 tightened the picture is locked into position.
 A three-screw system can be used for leveling the picture as well as
 providing vertical and horizontal adjustability. For this configuration
 there are two top screws and one bottom screw. Again the hooks slide
 horizontally along the wall brackets and vertically by loosening the top
 hooks and tightening the bottom hook. Leveling of the picture is
 accomplished by adjusting the top screws.
 Additionally, an electromechanical system can be used for holding the
 pictures securely flush against a wall. This configuration uses a motor or
 solenoid to drive the securing bracket into the frame connection. These
 devices would have external power supplies for their operation. The power
 is supplied through exterior connections on the frame.
 A single aperture system can be composed of a frame with a single hole that
 can be lined up with the locking screw in the wall bracket. A screwdriver
 is inserted through the hole to move the locking bracket into the frame.
 After securing the picture a plug is inserted into the hole to prevent
 others from having access to the locking screw.
 Latching means that employ springs can also be used with these frames. This
 configuration has the frame and wall brackets working together to support
 and lock the picture flush onto the wall. A top spring-loaded bracket
 pulls the picture in an upward direction while a bottom fixed bracket is
 interfacing with the bottom of the picture frame. When installing this
 configuration the top springs are worked until the bottom of the frame
 latches into the bottom bracket.
 The various configurations for this invention have frame backs that have
 space for the supporting hardware and may also have specific frame
 configurations for attachment to the wall brackets. The purpose of these
 configurations is to hold the pictures flush against the wall and to
 resist most methods for unauthorized removal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 A picture frame and picture frame holder with interfacing wall hardware
 provide a means for hanging pictures so they are held flush against the
 wall. In addition to holding the picture flush many of the configurations
 also have adjustability features for leveling, and horizontal and vertical
 positioning.
 With reference to FIGS. 1a & 1b, in which like numerals represent like
 parts, FIGS. 1a & 1b show device 10 in position for use onto wall surface
 16. Device 10 comprises a frame base 1, which is screwed into frame 5 with
 eight screws 2. In the top center of 1 is an aperture 3 with support screw
 4 through it. Support screw 4 is locked in place with lock nut 6 on the
 inner edge of the frame base. The threaded T-bar 7 is also on screw 4 and
 lies against wall bracket 8 which is anchored into wall 16 by screws 9a &
 9b. The bottom wall bracket 11 is in the shape of a wedge and has teeth
 along the outer bottom edge 13, and is anchored to the wall with screws
 12a & 12b. The bottom wall bracket fits into the frame base bottom beveled
 recess 14. When support screw 4 is turned T-bar 7 pushes down on wall
 bracket 8 and lock-nut 6 pushes the frame in an upward direction until the
 bottom wall bracket 11 is finally into the bottom beveled recess 14. At
 that point the frame base 1 is locked onto the wall and the sides are
 flush against the wall. Prior to locking the frame in place space 15 and
 the length of the T-bar provide some side adjustability.
 With reference to FIGS. 2a & 2b in which like numerals represent like
 parts, FIGS. 2a & 2b are showing device 20 in position for use, attached
 to wall surface 26. This picture frame 22 has top and bottom apertures 31
 & 30 with top and bottom screws 21a & 21b through them The screws 21a &
 21b have threaded hooks 25 & 27 threadably engaged on them that are
 slidingly engaged onto the outer lip of wall brackets 24 & 28. Wall
 bracket 24 is anchored to wall 26 with screws 23a & 23b while wall bracket
 28 is anchored with screws 29a & 29b. When the bottom screw 21b is
 loosened the picture frame drops down and increases space 32b while
 reducing space 32a. The length of the screws 21a & 21b and the spaces 32a
 & 32b set the limits on vertical adjustability. When the hooks 25 & 27 are
 loose the picture frame can be moved sideways to either increase or
 decrease spaces 33a & 33b. The length of this side adjustability is
 dependent upon the inside width of the frame and the length of the
 brackets 24 & 28.
 Optional apertures 34a & 34b are for the addition of side locking screws.
 These screws would have their own hooks and wall brackets. With this
 configuration the picture would be locked horizontally as well as
 vertically.
 With reference to FIG. 3 showing device 40 similar to device 20 except that
 it has a third screw and support bracket. The frame 41 has apertures for
 screws 42a, 42b & 42c which each has a threaded hook 44a, 44b & 44c
 slidingly engaged onto wall brackets 43a, 43b & 43c. When the screws are
 turned spaces 45a, 45b & 45c are changed; and when slid sideways space 46
 changes. By altering the positions of 44a & 44b the pitch of the picture
 can be altered until it is made level.
 With reference to FIGS. 4a &4b, in which like numerals represent like
 parts, FIGS. 4a & 4b are showing device 50 in position for use, attached
 to wall surface 54. The frame support 51 is screwed into the picture frame
 52 with screws 53. At the bottom of the frame support is an aperture for
 screw 55 that extends through wedge 57 and has T-bar 56 threadably engaged
 to it. Support wedges 58a & 58b are anchored to the wall 54 with screws 59
 and butt up against wedge 57 on the top and frame support wedge area 60.
 Space 61 provides side adjustability and tightening screw 55 locks the
 picture flush onto the wall.
 With reference to FIG. 5 showing device 70, having picture frame 71 with
 top and bottom wedged recess areas at 83 & 82 supported by top wall wedge
 85 anchored to wall with screws 84 & 86. The bottom locking wedge 81 is
 guided by pins 77a & 77b and attached to motor shaft 75 by bracket 80. The
 motor 76 is supported by wall bracket 78 that is anchored to the wall by
 screws 79a & 79b. The motor 76 is powered from the electrical connector 72
 installed in the top of frame 71. When the frame is attached to the top
 wall wedge 85 the wire connections 73 & 74 are made. When dc power is
 supplied to electrical connector 72 the motor 76 drives the shaft 75 so
 that the bottom wedge 81 locks the picture onto the wall. When the power
 is reversed the motor retracts the wedge and the picture can be removed
 from the wall.
 With reference to FIG. 6 showing device 90 in position for use, with frame
 91 having an aperture 102 for the insertion of a screwdriver to turn screw
 94. When not being adjusted aperture 102 is closed with plug 101. The
 frame 91 is held in position by bracket 92, which is on locking screw 94
 and held in place by lock nut 93. Adjusting screw 92 is threadably engaged
 at 97a & 97b to wall bracket 96 that is anchored to the wall 98 with
 screws 95. A bottom wall bracket 100 engages the bottom lip of the frame
 and is anchored to the wall with screw 99. When locking screw 94 is
 loosened the picture drops and can be removed from the wall.
 With reference to FIGS. 7a & 7b, in which like numerals represent like
 parts, FIGS. 7a & 7b are showing device 110 in position for use, attached
 to wall surface 122. Frame base 111 is screwed into picture frame 113 with
 screws 112. Frame base wedge area 114 interfaces with spring loaded wedge
 115 that has guide pins 117 extending through apertures in wall bracket
 118 and affixed to bar 121. Wall bracket 118 is anchored to wall 122 with
 screws 119. Compression springs 116 surround guide pins 117 and are
 between the spring-loaded wedge 115 and the wall bracket 118. Extension
 springs 120 are affixed to wall bracket 118 and bar 121. Bottom support
 wedge 128 interfaces with frame recess 129 and is affixed to bottom wall
 bracket 125 with adjusting screws 123 and nuts 124 and 127. Bottom wall
 bracket 125 is anchored to the wall with screws 126. Space 130 provides a
 measure of horizontal adjustability while the screws 123 provide leveling
 and vertical positioning. Pulling down on the frame allows the bottom
 support wedge 128 to extend beyond the lip of the frame recess 129 and
 permits removal of the frame. This embodiment is held flush against the
 wall and has no external indications of how it is held in place.
 While the invention has been described above with respect to certain
 embodiments thereof it will be appreciated that variations and
 modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of
 the invention.