Abstract:
A hanger for suspending an object from a supporting surface. An exemplary hanger may include a base mountable to a supporting surface, the base including a hook portion providing an upwardly opening gap, and a receiver pivotably mounted adjacent to a distal edge of the hook portion, the receiver being pivotable between an open position in which the receiver and the gap provide an aperture wider than the gap for receiving a supporting device connected to an object and a closed position in which the receiver substantially overlaps the gap. Some exemplary embodiments may include a magnet mounted to the receiver.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to devices for supporting objects and, more particularly, to hanging devices for supporting decorative articles. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an aspect, a hanger for suspending an object from a supporting surface may include a base mountable to a supporting surface, the base including a hook portion providing an upwardly opening gap; and a receiver pivotably mounted adjacent to a distal edge of the hook portion, the receiver being pivotable between an open position in which the receiver and the gap provide an aperture, wider than the gap for receiving a supporting device connected to an object and a closed position in which the receiver substantially overlaps the gap. 
     In a detailed embodiment, the hook portion may be integrally formed with the base. 
     In a detailed embodiment, a hanger may include a hinge interposing the receiver and the distal edge of the hook portion, the hinge may be rigidly affixed to the base, and the receiver may be pivotably coupled to the hinge by a pin. In a detailed embodiment, the hinge may include a ridge which engages a projection extending from the receiver when the receiver is in the open position. In a detailed embodiment, engagement of the ridge and the projection may limit rotation of the receiver relative to the hinge. 
     In a detailed embodiment, the base may include at least one hole for receiving a fastener therethrough, and the hole may be angled with respect to perpendicular to the base. 
     In a detailed embodiment, a hanger may include a magnet mounted to the receiver. In a detailed embodiment, the magnet may be positioned on an inner face of the receiver, and the inner face may substantially oppose the gap when the receiver is in the closed position. 
     In a detailed embodiment, in the closed position, a distal end of the receiver may contact the base. In a detailed embodiment, the hook portion may extend from the base at a first angle; in the open position the receiver may extend relative to the base at a second angle; and the second angle may be greater than the first angle. In a detailed embodiment, a width of the aperture may be at least twice a width of the gap. 
     In an aspect, a hanger for suspending an object from a supporting surface may include a hook including an upwardly opening gap, the hook being supported from a supporting surface; and a receiver hingedly coupled to a distal edge of the hook, the distal edge of the hook being generally opposite the supporting surface. The receiver may be pivotable between a first position in which the receiver extends generally away from the supporting surface and a second position in which the receiver extends generally towards the supporting surface. 
     In a detailed embodiment, in the second position, the receiver may substantially overlay the gap. 
     In a detailed embodiment, a hanger may include a hinge interposing the receiver and the distal end of the hook, the hinge being rigidly coupled to the distal end of the hook and being pivotably coupled to the receiver. In a detailed embodiment, the receiver may be pivotably coupled to the hinge by a pin extending at least partially through the hinge and at least partially through the receiver. 
     In a detailed embodiment, the receiver may include a projection that engages a ridge on the hinge when the receiver is in the first position, and the engagement of the projection and the ridge may limit movement of the receiver in an opening direction. In a detailed embodiment, a hanger may include a magnet mounted to the receiver. In a detailed embodiment, a hanger may include a base interposing the hook and the supporting surface, and the base may include at least one through hole for receiving a fastener. 
     In an aspect, a method for suspending an object from a supporting surface may include placing a supporting device of an object proximate an aperture at least partially defined by a receiver, where the receiver is pivotably coupled to a base of a hanger, the hanger being affixed to a supporting surface; placing the supporting device in a hook portion of the base; and pivoting the receiver into a closed position in which the receiver substantially overlaps a gap of the hook. 
     In a detailed embodiment, a method may include, prior to placing the supporting device proximate the aperture, affixing the base to the supporting surface. In a detailed embodiment, a method may include, prior to placing the supporting device proximate the aperture, pivoting the receiver into an open position in which the receiver and the hook portion provide an aperture wider than the gap of the hook. 
     In a detailed embodiment, placing the supporting device proximate the aperture may include attracting the supporting device to the receiver using a magnet mounted to the receiver. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description refers to the following figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary hanger; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an exemplary hanger in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of an exemplary hanger in a closed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary hanger base; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary hinge; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of an exemplary hinge; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplary receiver; and 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an exemplary receiver; all in accordance with at least some aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure contemplates that some objects, such as picture frames, may be suspended from supporting surfaces, such as a wall, using a hanger mounted to the wall and a wire extending at least partially across the back of the picture frame. Because the hanger is close to the wall and the picture frame may obstruct the view of the wire, it may be difficult to properly engage the wire with the hanger. In addition, the picture frame may contact the wall, causing damage to the picture frame and/or the wall. Exemplary hangers according to the present disclosure may reduce the difficulty of engaging the wire with the hanger without causing damage to the wall or the picture frame. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an exemplary hanger  10  may include a base  20 , a hinge  40 , and/or a receiver  60 . The hinge  40  may be affixed to the base  20  using one or more fasteners, such as screws  80 ,  82 . One or more pins  84  may pivotably couple the receiver  60  and the hinge  40 . In some exemplary embodiments, one or more magnets  86  may be mounted to or within receiver  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary hanger may be mounted to a supporting surface, such as a wall  100 , using one or more fasteners, such as nail  88 . In some exemplary embodiments, the hanger  10  may be mounted to a supporting surface using other methods known in the art, such as, for example and without limitation, adhesive, one or more magnets, one or more hook-and-loop fasteners, etc. In some exemplary embodiments, the fastener may be oriented at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to base  20 . For example, angle  98  may be approximately 100 degrees, which corresponds to approximately a ten degree downward angle of nail  88 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the hanger  10  in an open configuration in which an inner side  62  of receiver  60  is substantially exposed. In an open configuration, hanger  10  may receive a connecting device, such as wire  102 , which may be attached to an object, such as a picture frame  8 . Engagement of the wire  102  and the hanger  10  may be facilitated by the wide aperture  90  presented by the hanger  10  in the open configuration, which may be substantially wider than the gap  92  of the hook portion  22 . In an exemplary embodiment, aperture  90  may be approximately 0.9 inches, and gap  92  may be approximately 0.35 inches. In addition, in exemplary embodiments including a magnet  86 , a connecting device comprising a magnetic material (e.g., a material that exhibits magnetic properties, such as iron), may be attracted to magnet  86 , which may assist in engaging the connecting device with the hanger  10 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the angle  94  between the base  20  and the hook portion  22  may be approximately 20 degrees, and the angle  96  between the base  20  and the receiver  60  may be approximately 55 degrees. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary hanger  10  in a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, an outer surface  64  of the receiver  60  may be substantially exposed and/or the inner surface  62  may be substantially unexposed. The receiver  60  may substantially overlay gap  92  and/or distal end  72  of receiver  60  may contact base  20 . Wire  102  may be retained within hook portion  22  of base  20 . Because receiver  60  has been pivoted inward, picture frame  8  may be suspended nearer to wall  100  than when hanger  10  is in the open position. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary base  20 , which may include one or more holes  24 ,  26  for receiving fasteners, such as nail  88 . As discussed above, in some exemplary embodiments, holes  24 ,  26  may be non-perpendicular with base  20 . For example, holes  24 ,  26  may be angled about ten degrees downward with respect to perpendicular to the base  20 . The hook portion  22  may terminate in a distal edge  32 , which may receive the hinge  40 . One or more holes  28 ,  30  may receive screws  80 ,  82 , which may secure hinge  40  proximate distal edge  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, base  20  may be approximately 1.8 inches high, 1.25 inches wide, and the hook portion  22  may be approximately 0.5 inches deep. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an exemplary hinge  40  may include one or more holes  42 ,  44  for receiving screws  80 ,  82 , respectively, when distal edge  32  of base  20  is received within slot  46 . Through hole  48  may receive pin  84  when receiver  60  is assembled to hinge  40 . Ridge  50  may cooperate with receiver  60  to limit rotation of the receiver  60  in the opening direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the hinge  40  may be approximately 0.5 inches wide (parallel to through hole  48 ) and approximately 0.4 inches high. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an exemplary receiver  60  may include a through hole  66  for receiving pin  84  when receiver  60  is mounted to hinge  40 . Inner surface  62  may include a recessed portion  68  for receiving magnet  86 . One or more projections  70  may be arranged to selectively engage ridge  50  of hinge  40 , such that rotation of the receiver in the opening direction may be limited. In an exemplary embodiment, the distance from the distal end  72  to the through hole  66  may be approximately 0.7 inches, and the greatest width of the receiver  60  (parallel to through hole  66 ) may be approximately 1.25 inches. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the base  20  may be constructed from metal, such as sheet steel, and/or plastic. In some exemplary embodiments, the hinge  40  and/or the receiver  60  may be constructed substantially from plastic. 
     An exemplary hanger  10  may be used as follows. The base  20  may be affixed to a wall  100  using fasteners  88  extending through holes  24 ,  26 . The receiver  60  may be placed in the open position. A picture frame  8  having a wire  102  may be placed in front of the hanger  10  such that the wire  102  is in or near the aperture  90 . If the exemplary hanger  10  includes a magnet  86  and if the wire  102  is a magnetic material, the wire  102  may be attracted to the magnet  86  in the receiver  60 . With the wire  102  lying within the aperture  90 , the receiver  60  may be pivoted to the closed position, and the picture frame  8  may be suspended from the wall  100  by the hanger  10 . 
     While exemplary embodiments have been set forth above for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from the scope. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.