Abstract:
An object-mounting aid such as a wire guide, comprising a first leg at a proximal end and a second leg at a distal end, with a hinge therebetween, wherein the second leg is longer than the first leg. The hinge may allow the second leg to pivot relative to the first leg so as to increase or decrease a gap between the second leg and the mounting surface, which may make it easier to position a wire on the second leg and may allow the second leg to serve as a ramp surface for the wire. The first leg includes a channel configured to receive and couple to a portion of a mounting device, e.g., by frictional engagement, which may be assisted through the use of detents on the guide. In addition, the guide may include a notch on the rear face of the first leg, the notch shaped so as to mirror or otherwise interface with at least a portion of the holder.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61/156,219, filed Feb. 27, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus for aiding in mounting or hanging objects on a surface, e.g., to hanging wire-backed frames on hooks mounted on a wall. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Wall mountable holders come in several varieties for different applications, including one-piece or multiple piece hooks, fasteners driven into wall anchors and nails or other fasteners driven directly into a substrate. Hooks generally have at least one upturned end spaced outwardly from the mounting substrate by a valley or channel. Similarly, fasteners such as screws and nails generally have an enlarged head extending from a smaller-diametered shank. 
         [0006]    At times, mounting objects on these holders can be difficult because the object to be mounted obstructs vision of the holder such that a user must “guess” the location of the holder or move the object along the wall trying to locate the holder, increasing installation time and potentially marring the mounting surface. For example, picture frames sometimes include a mounting wire attached to the rear of the frame. Due to the size of the picture and the location of the hook in the center of the picture when properly installed, it often is difficult or impossible for the installer to see the holder and/or visually place the wire on the holder. 
         [0007]    What is needed is an aid for mounting objects that avoids the drawbacks of traditional installations. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In one aspect, an object-mounting aid such as a wire guide, comprising a first leg at a proximal end and a second leg at a distal end, with a hinge therebetween, wherein the second leg is longer than the first leg; and a plurality of arms on the first leg forming a plurality of channels extending rearward from the proximal end toward the hinge. The channels may be spaced apart for accommodating the upturned end of a mounting device and may have a thickness sized for accommodating the upturned end of a mounting device, e.g., by frictional engagement. In addition, the guide may comprise a plurality of second arms on the second leg that may be substantially aligned with the plurality of arms on the first leg. The guide also may have a notch between the plurality of arms and the second plurality of arms and proximate said hinge, such that the second leg may be adapted to pivot forward with respect to the first leg, and the second plurality of arms may be adapted to rest on the plurality of arms when a load is applied to a rear portion of the second leg, thereby supporting the second leg. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, an object-mounting aid such as a wire guide, comprising a first leg having a front face and a rear face with a channel therebetween; a hinge along an upper end of the first leg; and a second leg extending upward away from the hinge; wherein the second leg is substantially longer than the first leg. The second leg may be between about 3 times and about 5 times longer than the first leg, preferably at least about 4 times longer. In addition, the guide may include an arcuate notch extending upward from a proximal end of the rear face and an arcuate notch extending upward from a proximal end of the front face. 
         [0010]    In still another aspect, an object-mounting aid such as a wire guide, comprising a first leg and a second leg with a hinge therebetween, the first leg comprising a front face and a rear face, a distal end proximate the hinge and a proximal end, wherein the first leg includes a channel, open at the proximal end, between the front face and the rear face; and wherein the first leg includes a plurality of detents. The rear face may include an arcuate notch spaced from the proximal end by the detents, and the detents may be notches formed in the rear face. In addition, the detents may be arcuate and have proximal and distal ends extending toward a center of the rear face a greater amount than remaining portions of the detents, and the detents may have a radius of curvature between about 1/16″ and about ⅛″ for receiving a portion of a hook or other type of object holder. Detents may be sized so as to create an initial interference fit of between about 1/100″ and about 5/100″ when contacting holder, and the interference fit may be at least partially relieved as the guide is slid further over holder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side, perspective view of a wire guide for aiding in mounting objects to a surface, with one type of holder with which the wire guide may be used. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front, perspective view of the wire guide and holder of  FIG. 1  just prior to engagement of the guide with the holder. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the wire guide installed on the holder. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the wire guide being loaded away from the wall to simulate the weight of the wire and framed picture bearing on the wire guide. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the wire guide installed on a second type of holder, just after loading on guide by a wire attached to the article to be hung. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the wire guide and holder of  FIG. 5  showing the wire in its resting position on the holder. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is perspective view of the wire guide and holder of  FIG. 5 , simulating the orientation of the guide with respect to the mounting surface caused by the weight of the mounted article bearing on the guide. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a section view through plane  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a front view of another embodiment of a wire guide for aiding in mounting objects to a surface. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the wire guide of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a rear view of the wire guide of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a section view of the wire guide through plane  12 - 12  of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a section view of the wire guide through plane  13 - 13  of  FIG. 9 , also showing the guide mounted on a holder. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a front view of yet another embodiment of a wire guide for aiding in mounting objects to a surface. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a rear view of the wire guide of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a section view of the wire guide through plane  16 - 16  of  FIG. 14 , also showing the guide mounted on a holder. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a rear, perspective view of a portion of the wire guide of  FIG. 14 , also showing the guide mounted on a holder. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    In one embodiment, a wire guide  10  for aiding in the mounting of an article  6  such as a wire-hung picture frame to a surface  2  using a holder  4  such as a hook. Guide  10  is an accessory device that can be installed onto the open end of a common picture hook, or a picture hook that is specifically designed to accept this accessory device. Additionally, guide  10  may be sized or otherwise adapted to engage the round head of a nail if the wire is hung directly from the nail instead of from a hook. 
         [0029]    As seen in  FIGS. 1-4 , guide  10  may have a first leg  12  and second leg  14 , the first leg  12  being shorter than second leg  14 . First leg  12  may extend from proximal end  16 , and second leg  14  may extend from distal end  18  and meet at hinge  20 . Rear portion  22  of guide  10  may be a unitary structure such that hinge  20  may be a line of intersection, allowing first and second legs to fold with respect to each other. Alternatively, first and second legs may be separable such that hinge joins them together. Shorter first leg  12  may be between about ¼″ and about 1¼″ long, preferably between about ¼″ and about 1″ long, and in one embodiment about ⅝″ long. Second leg  14  may be between about 2″ long and about 5″ long, preferably between about 2″ long and about 3½″ long, and in one embodiment about 2⅞″ long. As such, guide  10  may have a total length of between about 2¼″ long and about 6¼″ long, preferably between about 2½″ long and about 4¼ long, and in one embodiment, about 3½″ long. In addition, rear portion  22  may be between about ¼″ wide and about 1¼″ wide, preferably between about ¼″ wide and about 1″ wide, and in one embodiment, about 0.6″ wide. 
         [0030]    First leg  12  may have a plurality of arms  24  extending forward and inward from rear portion  22  or edges  26  of first leg  12  so as to form a first channel  28  and an opposing second channel  30 . Arms  24  and, therefore, channels  28 ,  30  may be similarly shaped such that first leg  12  is substantially symmetrical about axis. When used with a wall mountable hook, forwardly extending portion  32 ,  34  of arms  24  may extend from rear surface  22  between about 1/16″ and about ¼″, preferably between about 3/32″ and about 3/16″ and in one embodiment, about 0.14″. Inwardly extending portion  36 ,  38  of arms  24  may then extend inward between about 1/16″ and about half the width of the guide  10 , preferably between about ⅛ and about half the width of the guide, and in one embodiment about 0.175″. As such, there may be a gap  40  between the inward extending portions  36 ,  38  of between about 0″ and about ¾ the width of the guide, preferably between about 0″ and about ½ the width of the guide, and in one embodiment, about ¼″. While arms  24  may have a separation so as to form a gap  40 , arms  24  may be joined to one another so as to eliminate gap. In these instances, guide  10  may have a generally continuous perimeter with a hollow core, e.g., guide may be generally cylindrical or tubular. 
         [0031]    Similarly, second leg  14  also may have a plurality of arms  42  extending forward and inward from edges  44  of second leg  14 , and second leg  14  also may be substantially symmetrical about axis. 
         [0032]    Elements of the guide  10 , including the rear portion  22 , the forwardly extending arm portions  32 ,  34 ,  46 ,  48  and/or the inwardly extending arm portions  36 ,  38 ,  50 ,  52  may have a thickness between about 1/64″ and about ⅛″, preferably between about 1/64″ and about 5/64″, and in one embodiment, about 0.04″. 
         [0033]    Channels  28 ,  30  may be generally C-shaped, opening inward toward a center of guide, as seen in the cross-section view of  FIG. 8 . Opening may be between about 1/32″ wide and about ⅛″ wide, preferably between about 1/32″ and about 3/32″ wide, and in one embodiment about 1/16″ wide. Arms  24  may be similarly shaped to arms  42  such that channels may extend from first leg to second leg. In addition, arm ends  25  at proximal end  16  may be rounded or otherwise taper from edges  26  of guide to inwardly facing edges  36 ,  38  of arms  24 . 
         [0034]    Returning to  FIG. 3 , Guide  10  may have notches  58  between arms  24 ,  42  at hinge  20  so as to allow first leg  12  and second leg  14  to pivot with respect to one another. In addition, notches  58  may be generally perpendicular to rear portion  22 . However, if so, notch surfaces  60 ,  62  are spaced apart to allow first leg and second leg to pivot inwardly with respect to one another to form an acute angle. Distance between notch surfaces  60 ,  62  may be between about 1/32″ and about ⅛″, preferably between about 0.06″ and about 0.08″. Alternatively or in addition, first and second notch surfaces may be angled toward each other to allow first leg  12  and second leg  14  to pivot in multiple directions. Each surface may be angle between about 10 degrees and about 60 degrees with respect to a plane perpendicular to rear portion, preferably between about 20 degrees and about 45 degrees, still more preferably between about 30 degrees and about 40 degrees. 
         [0035]    The device is designed to protrude out from the front end of a picture hook  4 , which is mounted on a wall  2 , in such a way that it can easily “catch” the support wire  8  on the back of a framed picture, and guide the wire  8  into place on the hook  4 . By having this device  10  angled outward from the wall  2  that the picture hook  4  is mounted on, the device  10  can easily “catch” the loose wire  8  as the picture  6  is slid down the face of the wall  2 , as is commonly done when hanging large framed pictures. Once the wire guide device  10  catches or “snags” the loose wire  8  it is designed to guide the wire  8  into a resting place at the base of the picture hook  4 . 
         [0036]    In order to guide the wire  8  effectively, support the wire and avoid buckling, the guide  10  should be rigid in terms of bending outward from the wall  2  as the weight of the wire  8  and the framed picture  6  begin to bear on the outer end of the wire guide  10 . Conversely, the guide  10  should be flexible and capable of hinging inward toward the wall  2  once the wire  8  is seated in the picture hook  4  and the framed picture  6  moves into place against the wall  2 . 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, the wire guide  10  device is a plastic molded or extruded part that is notched and bent at an angle. For example, the device may be made of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon or acetal. 
         [0038]    This angled long leg  14  of the wire guide  10  is the portion of the guide  10  that angles out from the wall  2  to “snag” the loose wire  8 , i.e., to contain the wire  8  between the guide  10  and the wall  2  to ensure that the wire  8  reaches a final position on the mounting hook  4  without having to guess the location of the hook  4 , which is obscured by the object  6  being mounted. The shorter leg  12  of the wire guide  10  provides a C-shaped configuration that can be positively mounted onto the end of the picture hook  4 . In another embodiment, the shorter leg  12  may provide a smaller C-shaped configuration that may be positively mounted on the round head of a nail or other fastener. 
         [0039]    In this initial bent position, the C-shaped profile of the long leg  14  bears against the C-shaped profile of the short leg  12 , making a rigid, non-bending structure to positively guide the wire  8  into the hook  4 , i.e., it provides a surface  22  along which the wire  8  may move toward the final resting position on the holder  4 , as seen in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0040]    Turning to  FIG. 6 , once the wire  8  is seated in the hook  4  and the picture  6  begins to move toward the wall  2 , the wire guide  10  will flex or “hinge” at the angled bend  20  of the guide  10 . This is facilitated by the notches  58  at the 2 sides of the C-shapes. At this point, the flat face  22  of the extruded plastic acts like a hinge. This allows the long leg  14  of the wire guide  10  to easily bend back toward the wall  2 , as it is pushed by the weight of the picture  6  as it settled against the wall  2 . The force applied to the long leg  14  may be represented by the arrow in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0041]    Once the picture is settled into place against the wall, with the support wire fully engaged in the picture hook, the wire guide  10  may remain in place on the end of the picture hook  4 , as in  FIG. 7 . This long extension on the front end of the picture hook can provide significant protection against the picture hook wire  8  jumping out of engagement with the picture hook  4 , e.g., if the picture is struck or the picture is exposed to high vibration due to a seismic event. 
         [0042]    On the other hand, if the wire guide  10  protrudes above the top of the framed picture  6 , once the picture  6  is fully mounted on the wall  2 , the top end  18  of the wire guide  10  can be grasped and pulled directly upward to completely remove it from engagement with the picture hook  4 , as in  FIG. 2 . Once removed, the wire guide  10  can be discarded or re-used. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment, the wire guide  110  may be formed as one piece with the holder  104 , making the guide  110  a component of the picture hook itself instead of being a removable “accessory.” For example, the upturned end of a hook  110  may be the same as the first leg  112 . In this example, the upturned end portion  105  of the hook  104  may terminate at the hinge  120 , with the pivoting second leg  114  or front “nose” extending therefrom. The “nose” of the integral wire guide  110  may be about the same size as a second leg  14  of a separate wire guide  10 . However, since it would not be removable, the “nose” may be smaller to ensure it remains concealed behind a variety of differently-sized frames. Forming the guide  110  and holder  104  as a unitary structure may allow the guide  110  to perform the same function as when formed as a separate piece from the holder  104 , i.e., providing the same stabilization and seismic preferences described above since the “nose” would be hinged back against the substrate  102  and stay there, and further may allow the holder  104  and guide  110  to be formed in a single step. 
         [0044]    Turning to  FIGS. 9-13 , a third embodiment of a wire guide  210  is shown. Wire guide  210  may be similar to guide  10 , and like numbering (with a 200s prefix) may apply to similar features. For example, guide  210  may have a first leg  212  and second leg  214  with a living hinge  220  therebetween. However, instead of each leg including arms separated by a gap, guide  210  may include a front face  224  extending substantially across a width of guide  210 . Front face  224  may be generally parallel to rear face or portion  222  so as to form a channel  228  in first leg  212  between front face  224  and rear face  222 . Injection molding may be beneficial in forming guide  210 . 
         [0045]    Second leg  214  may have a similar channel  254 . Preferably, however, second leg  214  may include a plurality of inner ribs  242  extending inward from sides  246 ,  248 . Ribs may be generally parallel to hinge  220 , although other rib angles are possible. In addition, ribs may extend substantially from side  246  to  248  or, alternatively, second leg  214  may include another rib  243  centered along width of second leg  214  and extending generally along axis of symmetry of leg  214 . 
         [0046]    Proximal end  216  of first leg  212  may include notches on one or more of front face  224  and rear face  222 . Notch  223  on front face  224  and notch  225  on rear face  222  may be generally arcuate. Notch  225  may be arced or semi-circular, e.g., to match a radius of curvature at the throat of a hook or the shank or head of a fastener. Conversely, notch  223  may be generally parabolic. In addition, top of notch  223  may extend away from proximal end  216  substantially farther than top of notch  225 . However, widest portion of notch  225  may be narrower than hook or fastener so that hook, fastener, etc., may be maintained between rear face  222  and front face  224 . Alternatively, notches may be similarly shaped or may have other configurations, as long as notches leave sufficient material on front face  224  and rear face  222  so as to capture a portion of holder  4  between those faces, as seen in the cross-section views of  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
         [0047]    Second leg  214  may be between about 2 times and about 6 times longer than first leg  212 , preferably between about 3 times and about 5 times longer, still more preferably at least about 4 times longer. For example, in one embodiment, first leg  212  may have a length of about ⅝ inches, and second leg may have a length of about 2⅝ inches. In addition, both first and second legs may have a generally equal width, e.g., about equal to the length of first leg  212 . Moreover, channel  228  between rear face  222  and front face  224  may be about equal to a thickness of a holder hook, fastener head, etc., so as to mount securely to hook, head etc. In one embodiment, channel  228  may have a thickness of about ⅛ inch. 
         [0048]    In still another embodiment, as seen in  FIGS. 14-17 , wire guide  310  may be similar to guides  10  and  210 , and like numbering (with a 300s prefix) may apply to similar features. Like guide  210 , guide  210  may include a single channel  328  between rear face  322  and front face  324  for receiving hook or head of holder or fastener mounted to/in wall  2 . 
         [0049]    In this embodiment, front face  324  of guide  310  may include one or more openings  327  between notch  323  and hinge  320 . Openings  327  may generally follow notch  323  so as to form one or more arcuate lands  329  between notch  323  and openings  327 . As seen in the sectional view of  FIG. 16 , a portion of holder  4  may be retained between rear face  322  and front face  324 , with lands  329  providing additional engagement surfaces for holder  4 . 
         [0050]    Guide  310  may have notches  323 ,  325  on front face  324  and rear face  322 , respectively. Notches  323 ,  325  may be shaped similar to notches  223 ,  225  of guide  210 . Alternatively, notch  325  may extend higher than notch  323 , i.e., having an apex closer to hinge  320 . Notch  325  may include portions extending generally parallel to sides  346 ,  348 , as well as generally parabolic portions and other arcuate portions. Specifically, notch  325  may be provided with a shape designed to generally mirror the portion of holder  4  with which it may interface. This notch design also may be employed with the other guide embodiments described herein, and vice versa. 
         [0051]    Turning to  FIGS. 15 and 17 , guide  310  also may include one or more detents  331  on rear face  322 . Detents  331  may be semicircular or other arcuate notches in rear face  322  beginning at or near proximal end  316  and extending upward along rear face  322 , where they may intersect the ends of rear notch  325 . When guide  310  is mounted on holder  4 , width between detents  331  at a widest spot may be wider than width of an aligned portion  5  of holder  4 . Additionally, width between detents  331  at proximal end  316  may be smaller than the same aligned portion of holder  4  such that detents  331  may extend over portion  5  of holder to positively engage guide  310  with holder  4 . Detents  331  may have proximal and distal ends extending toward a center of the rear face  322  a greater amount than remaining portions of the detents, and the detents may have a radius of curvature between about 1/16″ and about ⅛″ for receiving aligned portion  5  of a hook or other type of object holder  4 . Detents may be sized so as to create an initial interference fit of between about 1/100″ and about 5/100″, and in one embodiment about 14/1000″ when contacting aligned portion  5 , and the interference fit may be at least partially relieved as the guide  310  is slid further over holder  4 . 
         [0052]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific exemplary embodiment and method herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment and method, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.