Abstract:
An apparatus that helps hang wall art. A clamp attachable to a hanging element of an item of wall art that has a marking implement removably attached to the clamp and a marking tip oriented towards a wall surface opposite the wall hanging element. The marking tip simply marks the spot on the wall, and if the user decides on another location, the mark can be wiped off, with no damage to the wall.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/221,380, filed Sep. 21, 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to wall art, such as framed pictures, and the like, and more particularly to an apparatus to mark a wall surface for accurately identifying the placement of a frame hanging bracket. 
         [0003]    The typical homeowner or person who hangs an item of wall art is presented the problem of hanging the artwork in a suitable position to present a pleasing orientation of the wall art. Many times the user will select a point on the wall and sink a nail or other picture hanging device into the wall, only to be disappointed with the placement on the wall. While they may remove the hanging device and reposition it, preferably in a position that will mask the first hole. Nonetheless, the surface of the wall is left with a marred finish that must eventually be filled and perhaps repainted. 
         [0004]    As can be seen, there is a need for a device that simply marks the spot on the wall, and if the user decides on another location, the mark can be wiped off, with no damage to the wall. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for marking a spot on a wall surface for hanging wall art is disclosed. The apparatus includes a clip, having a pair of pivotally disposed clip arms, a grip portion at a first end of the clip arms and a clip opening portion at a second end thereof. A marking implement is attached to an outer surface a first clip arm, the wall marking implement having a marking tip oriented away from the outer surface of the clip arm. In some embodiments, the marking implement is attached proximal to the grip portion. The marking implement may be removably attached to the clip arm via a fastener, which may be a snap, a post, an adhesive, or a hook and pile fabric. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the marking implement includes an interior cavity configured to receive a volume of ink in communication with the marking tip. The ink may also be carried on a porous media within the cavity. The marking implement may have a cap removably secured over the marking tip. A lanyard may also connect the cap to the marking implement. The marking implement may also be replaceable. 
         [0007]    In other embodiments, the apparatus may also include a magnet attached to an outer surface of the second clip arm. Preferably, the magnet is attached proximal to the gripping portion of the second clip arm. 
         [0008]    Other aspects of the invention include a method for hanging an article on a wall surface. The method includes the steps of 1) attaching a marking clip to the article; 2) positioning the article at a desired location proximal to the wall surface; and 3) positioning the article towards the wall surface such that a marking tip attached to the marking clip applies a mark to the wall surface. The marking clip may have a pair of pivotally disposed clip arms, a grip portion at a first end of the clip arms and a marking implement attached to an outer surface a first clip arm, the wall marking implement having a marking tip oriented away from the outer surface of the clip arm. 
         [0009]    After the mark has been applied to the wall surface, the method may also include positioning the article away from the wall surface. The clip may then be removed from the article. A mounting fastener may be attached to the wall surface at the mark. The article may then be attached to the mounting fastener. 
         [0010]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of an embodiment of a wall marking apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of a wall marking apparatus. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded side elevation view of a wall marking apparatus. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of a wall marking apparatus. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of a wall marking apparatus with a cap removed from a tip of a marking implement. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a wall marking apparatus in use to mark a wall surface. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a detail view of a marking implement along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0019]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus that simply and accurately marks a placement spot for a frame hanger on the surface of a wall, and if the user decides on another location, the mark can be wiped off, with no damage to the wall. The apparatus facilitates hanging of wall art with little to no damage to the wall or the wall art itself. Instead of making a hole in the wall and causing damage to the wall, the present invention marks the wall with a washable marker, pencil, or other removable marking implement, allowing options for the user in choosing a location for hanging an item of wall art without damaging the wall. 
         [0020]    As seen in reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , the apparatus of the present invention includes a clip  100  with a pair of clip arms  101  &amp;  121  pivotally disposed about a pivot pin  103 . A spring  118  biases the opposed clip arms  101  &amp;  121  in a closed position wherein opposed gripping portions  122  at a first end of the clip arms  101  &amp;  102  permit the clip  100  to attach a variety of articles. The clip  100  is opened by operating a second, clip opening portion of the clip arms  101  &amp;  121  to separate the gripping portions  122  from each other. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clip  100  operatively couples to a hook  110  or a hanging wire  110  attached to a selected piece of wall art  112 . 
         [0021]    The apparatus includes a marker  102  attached to an outer surface of a first clip arm  101  of the clip  100 . The marker  102  has a marker tip  108 , or similar writing implement tip, to mark a spot on the wall with no damage to the wall itself. Preferably, the marker is a non-permanent washable ink or substrate that may be readily cleaned from the surface of the wall. When the marker tip  108  is configured for providing an ink marking, the marker  102  includes an interior cavity  105  for containing a supply of ink, which may be carried on a porous media in communication with the marker tip  108 . 
         [0022]    The marker  102  may include a cap  106  that can be removed from the marker  102  after the clip  100  is attached and preliminarily positioned against a wall surface to expose the marker tip  108 . Preferably, the cap  106  is connected to the marker  102  by a plastic connector  104  or lanyard. When the marker  102  has been used up, it can be replaced with another marker  102  that has a fastening point  116  defined at a second, non-marking end of the marker. The fastening point  116  may snap onto a stud  114 , a snap, a hook and pile material, or other fastener attached to the clip arm  101 . 
         [0023]    In a preferred embodiment, the marker  102  is located at a clamping end of the clip  114  to ensure proper alignment of the marker tip  108  with the hanger  110  attached to the item of wall art  112 . More preferably, a base of the marker  102  is configured so that the marker is oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the clip  100 . 
         [0024]    To use the device, the clip  100  with the marker  102  attaches to the wall art hook  110 . When a location is found for hanging the wall art, the cap  106  is removed, exposing the marker tip  108 , and the user presses the wall art  112  with the exposed marker tip  108  against the wall, leaving a washable mark, and no damage. If the user changes their mind about the mark that was made, the mark washes off, leaving the wall undamaged. But once the user decides on a location and has made the mark, the cap  106  can be put back on, and the clip  100  removed from the wall art hook  110 . The user is then free to apply nails or some other type of hanging apparatus to hang the wall art  112  on the wall. 
         [0025]    The clip  100  may preferably be made from plastic material with a metal spring  118  in the middle, and the arms on a top portion of the clip would be wide enough so the user is able to securely grip it. The bottom inside portion of the clip  100  where the clip  100  gripping portion  122  attaches to the wall art hook  110  may preferably have ridges that help to secure the clip  100  to the hook  110  while in use. The marker  102 , which is also preferably made of plastic, has a removable, attached cap  106 , with a marker, or writing tip  108  that is secured inside one end of the marker  102 . The marker  102  would be made to snap onto a stud, post, or snap  114  on the bottom outside portion of the clip  100 , allowing for the replacement of old markers  102  with new markers. 
         [0026]    The clip  100  may also be provided with a magnet  120  attached to an exterior surface of the second gripping arm  120  proximal to the gripping portion  122 . The magnet  120  may be utilized to attach the clip  100  to a ferrous wall art hook  110 , or alternatively a back surface of a ferrous item of wall art  112 . The magnet  120  may also be utilized to store the clip  100  in a convenient location, such as a refrigerator, where the clip  100  may be utilized for hanging items, such as a child&#39;s artwork, family schedules, photographs, and the like. 
         [0027]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.