Abstract:
An adjustable hanging device for hanging frames, shelves, mirrors, etc., comprising a linear element having thereon a pair of spaced sliders, each slider having a point thereon to enable a spot to be marked on a wall, and a level mounted on the linear element for facilitating leveling of the device so that the item to be mounted will be level, the linear element being retractable into a storage case.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/418,792 filed Apr. 6, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/123,977 filed May 20, 2008, and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Hanging picture frames and other items on a wall or the like can be simple or complicated. When one hook is used, it is a relatively simple matter to position it accurately so that the picture will hang properly. On the other hand, where two or more spaced hooks are used, there can be difficulty setting the spacing and particularly making sure they are at the same height so that the picture will be level. If one of the two hooks is either higher or lower than the other then it is apparent that the picture will hang at an angle, and multiple attempts will be made to set the spacing correctly. 
         [0003]    The purpose of the present invention is to provide a simple device to mark spaced anchor points evenly level. Accordingly, a principle purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved wall hanging aid. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0004]    These and other features and objects of the invention will become better understood for consideration of the following description wherein  FIG. 1  is side view of the wall hanging aid. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to an adjustable hanging device to mark hanging anchor points on a wall level. This device can be made of any material not limited to, but including metal, plastic or the like so it can folded or rolled up for storage. Turning first to  FIG. 1 , the device  15  comprises a linear element  12 . In the preferred embodiment, this linear element is a length of common retractable tape measure, allowing the distance between markings to be accurately measured, and enabling concave or convex shape of common measuring tape to reduce the linear element&#39;s tendency to bend under its own weight. This measuring tape can rolled up and stored within a spring-loaded storing case  17 , allowing it to be extended from and retracted into a more compact form, like a common tape measure. The device has a slider  18  with a point  19  which can be slid to adjust to align one of the anchor hanging points. The device also has a level slider  14  with a built-in level  16  so that the puncture dimples can be leveled without one being higher or lower than the other. The device also has an end slider  10  attached to the tip of the linear element  12  with a point  11 , serving to mark the location for another anchor on the wall. In the preferred embodiment, this end slider  10  is permanently attached at the end of the retractable measuring tape, allowing for the maximum amount of tape to be retracted and preventing other sliders from being removed from the end of the tape. However, the end slider can instead be able to be capable of sliding along the length of the tape, like the other sliders  14  and  18  if preferred. Each slider can lock into place by friction so the spacing thereof is not altered before the puncture dimples can be made. Slight pressure is applied to the slider  18  and mounted slider  10  so that the two puncture dimple marks are made into the wall by points  11  and  19 . 
         [0006]    The first step is to align the slider  18  to a location on the tape so that the points  11  and  19  correspond with the anchor hanging points of the item to be hanged. For the most accurate result, the level slider  14  should be slid to midpoint between points  11  and  19 . The second step is to lift the device  15  to the desired location. Third is to level with the built-in level  16  so that the measured adjustable points are level. Fourth is to apply a small amount of pressure to the sliders so that small puncture dimples are made into the wall by the points  11  and  19 . The last step is the place the desired anchors into the premeasured and leveled puncture dimple marks. 
         [0007]    This device can also be constructed without the level to just measure anchor spacing. The adjustability of this device can be constructed with the sliding pieces or with a series of collapsible pieces that are fit into each other. The device can also be constructed with a piece of cable, rope, or other non-rigid material. This device preferably uses a bubble level, but can also be made with a laser level to ensure the puncture holes are level on the wall. The device has two points  11  and  19  that puncture two holes into the desired surface, but the same device could utilize a marker, chalk, pencil, pen or paint marker to indicate the two places the anchors should be set. 
         [0008]    In the preferred embodiment, the storing case  17  is spring-loaded to cause the linear element to automatically retract into the storing case when force ceases to be applied in extending the linear element from the storing case. Other forms of the device may retract using a lever, crank, motor, or other means for retracting the linear element into the storing case. The device can also be built with no external storing case, so long as the linear element can be retracted into a more compact form, either by folding, rolling up, or other equivalents. 
         [0009]    Sliders  10 ,  14 , and  18  are preferably made of nylon or plastic, but could be made of aluminum or steel. The points  11  and  19  are preferably steel (and can be the point of a nail). 
         [0010]    Unlike the simple use of a level and standard measuring tape, the present hanging aid can give precise locations for the nail, screw, or whatever item is used to hang an item on a wall. The aid simply adjusts to line up with hanging points on the rear of the item to be hanged, and then taken to the wall and pressed against the wall once the aid is leveled. This results in two dimple marks caused by points  11  and  19 . As an alternative, the pointers  11  and  19  could be replaced by something to leave a mark such as by way of ink, and such as the end of a ball point pen, chalk, paint marker, or pencil. 
         [0011]    Various changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawing and claims. All such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses of the application which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.