Patent Publication Number: US-2020288822-A1

Title: Apparatus and methods for improved object leveling

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/817,046, filed Mar. 12, 2019, entitled APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED OBJECT LEVELING, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to an improved object leveling device and methods, and in particular, the present disclosure relates to an improved object straightener device that is configured with attachable fasteners, such as hook and loop type fasteners, to keep with a picture, frame, mirror, clock or any other object that could be hung on the wall level and straight, and to keep the object level or properly positioned and from moving or rotating. 
     The present disclosure incorporates a straightening device sized and configured to be attached to the back side of an object, and attached to the wall. Once the object is properly hung and leveled or positioned, two separate portions can be attached to each other to hold the object in the level or desired position. Once implemented, the object straightener device will be hidden from view when the object is being viewed. 
     The present disclosure incorporates a straightening device sized and configured to be attached to the back side of an object, and attached to the wall, such that once the object is hung and properly positioned in a first position as the user desires, the two separate portions can be detached from each other so that the object can be repositioned to a second position desired by the user. Once repositioned, the object straightener device will be hidden from view when the object is being viewed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are a number of devices that can be used to ensure that a picture hung on a wall is level and straight. For example, the Hang &amp; Level™ The Picture Hanging Tool, can be used to “accurately mark on your wall where to hammer the nail in. Includes a built-in level to make sure your pictures are straight. Perfect for pictures, mirrors, clocks and more.” 
     Also, the HANGables™ Removable Wall Fasteners state that “It&#39;s never been easier to hang frames and create wall collages. New VELCRO® Brand HANGables™ Removable Wall Fasteners are the perfect way to decorate. Frames go up without any hassles, and then when you want to remove them, they come down without any damage to your wall.” Other VELCRO® type frame installation systems exist that assist in hanging pictures and frames. 
     Additionally, there are various devices for ensuring that the picture or frame being hung is straight and/or level. For example, a manual level or laser level can be used to make sure the picture is level, once the proper height is determined. Many laser levels can be placed on a wall and will shine a level light across the wall to indicate when the picture is level. 
     Although there are numerous devices and products to assist one in hanging a picture and making sure the picture is level, there are not many products that can be used on a picture, frame, minor, clock or any other object that has already been hung to ensure that the object remains level. In some cases, a picture, for example, will have a piece of rubber or felt attached at the bottom rear corners of the picture in order to keep the picture from moving from its level position. Those felt or rubber piece are also intended to prevent the corners of the picture from sliding against and damaging the wall. However, the felt or rubber pieces placed on the rear side and the bottom corners of the picture do not completely prevent the picture from sliding. Once this occurs, the picture is no longer straight, and then the rubber or felt pieces work to keep the picture uneven. 
     Additionally, one may glue thumbtacks to the back of a picture with the tack facing the wall. Once the picture is determined to be level, the tack can be pressed into the wall to keep the picture in place and prevent the picture from sliding. However, pressing the thumbtack into the wall will create a permanent hole or mark that is not wanted, especially if the picture is later removed. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a straightening apparatus and methods, in which a picture, frame, mirror, clock or any other object that is hung through another product or procedure is prevented from moving from its straight position to an uneven position, and being capable of being repositioned to another position if the user&#39;s preference changes. There is a need for a device and related methods that will not damage a wall either during the hanging, straightening process or after the picture, frame, mirror, clock or any other object has been properly located, leveled and hung. The present disclosure satisfies these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In general, in order to solve the above-mentioned shortcomings in the hanging, leveling and straightening process for pictures, frames, mirrors, clocks or any other objects (referred to herein as objects), the present disclosure utilizes an apparatus and related methods that incorporate a straightening device that is sized and configured to be attached to the back side, bottom of an object, on the one hand, and attached to the wall that is holding the object, on the other hand. As such, the present disclosure comprises two pieces or portions. 
     By attaching the portion of the straightener device (the object portion) to the back of the object, and portion of the straightener device to the wall (the wall portion), once the object is hung, and the level position (or any desired position) is attained, the object can be pressed against the wall, thereby bringing two portions into contact and holding the object in the level position. Once implemented (the object portion connected or attached to the wall portion), the object straightener device will be hidden and not seen from the front, when the object is being viewed. Further, once implemented, the object portion can be removed from the wall portion to reposition or readjust the object for a different angle or position. 
     The object straightener design does not function to, and is not capable of, holding the object to the wall, but instead keeps the object from sliding or rotating once the level position is attained. As such, the present disclosure design can be very small since the forces it needs to address are the side-to-side forces and the present disclosure does not have to overcome the gravitational forces of gravity pulling on the object. The present disclosure is meant to be used in conjunction with other object hanging products and structures. 
     The design of the two portions of the object straightener device can be any shape, including triangles, squares, circles, half-circles, or any other shape based on or irrespective of the shape of the object being hung. For example, if the hung object is a rectangle or square, the portions of the straightener device can be triangles or squares (for corner placement) or even circular, for placement in the bottom center of the object. 
     Further, the portions of the object straightener device can be any color based on the color of the wall, the color of the object or frame, the color of the frame or any combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the object straightener device is meant to be hidden from view, once the object has been hung, levelled and straightened. 
     As described herein, the present disclosure includes structures for improving object hanging devices and the methods of hanging an object to prevent sliding or rotating of the object on the wall. The present disclosure allows for easy repositioning and adjusting of objects that have previously been hung, which allows for the object to be repositioned later at a different angle, depending on the object. For example, if the object being hung is a decorative soup spoon, and it is originally hung parallel to the ground, there may be a desire to reposition it at 45 degrees. The present disclosure allows this repositioning. 
     In the preferred embodiment, these improvements comprise small object straightening devices, such as hook and loop type designs that comprise two pieces, a wall piece or section and an object piece or section. The wall section is configured to be located on the wall, and can be removed without damaging the paint or wallpaper. The object section is configured to be placed on the back of the object to be hung, to work with the wall section to accomplish the intended purpose. Each piece has, for example, either hook or loop functionality (opposite of the other) so that when pressed together, the two pieces will hold together until enough force is applied to pry them apart. Other attraction items can be used to accomplish the same function, such as temporarily adhering glue or tape, magnets, etc. 
     Additionally, each piece will have an adhesive backing, or some other backing, on the non-hook and non-loop sides, such that the wall piece can be adhered to the wall and the object piece can be adhered to the backside of the object. Once the wall piece is adhered to the wall and the object piece is adhered to the object, the object, which is hung on the wall through other means, can be lined up to be level or straight. At this point, the object can be pressed against the wall thereby connecting the hook and loop pieces and holding the object level and straight and from rotating or turning from that level position. Since the object straightening device is not holding the object to the wall, the object piece and the wall piece do not have to be lined up exactly. Only a portion of each needs to connect with the other to hold the object level or straight. 
     It is therefore an objective of the present disclosure to provide an object straightener device, such as a hook and loop device, which comprises two portions, a wall portion and an object portion. In the preferred embodiment, these two portions are the same or similar in size and configuration and color, for example a triangle or circle. However, either of the portions can be smaller or larger than the other portion and still function in accordance with the invention described herein. In an embodiment, either the object side or the wall side (or both) are small enough to include only a couple or a few hooks or loops (or both) from the hook and loop functionality, just enough to hold the object in place, but that can barely be seen from the side or the bottom of the object. In another embodiment, a small magnet can be used on one side and a larger magnet can be used on the other side, so that the object can be moved into the desired position and it will remain there. 
     One of the portions, the wall portion has first side that contains a wall fastener material, and a second side that contains a wall adhesive material. The adhesive has the property that it can be adhered or attached to a wall, and later removed without damaging the wall. The other portion, the object portion has a first side that contains an object fastener material, such that the object fastener material will fasten or connect and hold with the wall fastener material on the wall portion. The second side of the object portion contains an object adhesive material that has the property that it can be adhered or attached to the backside of an object, and later removed without damaging the backside of the object. 
     It is another objective of the present disclosure to provide a method for positioning, leveling or straightening an object in which one or more object portions are attached or adhered to the back of an object using the object adhesive material, and one or more of the wall portions are attached or adhered to the wall where the object is to be hung (or where it has been hung) using the wall adhesive material. Once the object has been hung and is level or has been straightened (or in another intended position), the object can be pressed against the wall from the viewing side, thereby allowing the object fastener material on the object portion to make contact and fasten to the wall fastener material on the wall portion, thereby preventing the object from sliding or rotating out of the straight or level position (or any other intended position) at which the object was originally hung. 
     It is another objective of the present disclosure to provide a method for leveling or straightening an object in which one or more object portions are attached or adhered to the back of an object using the object adhesive material, and one or more of the wall portions are attached or adhered to the wall where the object is to be hung (or where it has been hung) using the wall adhesive material. Once the object has been hung and leveled in the intended position, and the object has been pressed against the wall from the viewing side to allow the object fastener material on the object portion to make contact and fasten to the wall fastener material on the wall portion. The object can be pulled away from the wall and repositioned using the same technique to position the object in the first place. In certain instances where a completely different angle is preferred, the wall portion can be removed from the wall and placed in a different location altogether to allow the object to be completely repositioned without the need to rehang the object. This repositioning allows the user the flexibility to change the position of the object without removing the object from the wall. 
     The present disclosure provides an object straightener device and an object portion that can be easily attached to the back of an object that is already hanging, or that is intended to be hung. The present disclosure also provides an object straightener device and a wall portion that can be easily attached to the wall where an object is already hanging, or where an object is intended to be hung. The present disclosure allows the object, once properly hung, to be leveled or straightened to its desired position and then easily secured in place by merely pressing the front of the object in the approximate location of the object straightener device, thereby bringing the object and wall fastener material from the object portion and the wall portion together, to hold until they are pulled apart to change the object. Once the object has been removed, the wall portion can be removed from the wall without damaging the wall or leaving an indication that it was there previously. Further, the object portion can be removed form the back of the object without damaging the object or leaving any indication that it was previously attached. 
     It is yet another objective of the present disclosure to provide an object straightener device that can be configured into numerous geometrical designs, such as triangle, square, rectangle, circular, or any combination of these, among others. Further, it is an objective of the present disclosure to provide an object straightener device that can be configured in many different colors to match the color of the wall, to match the color of the object, or even to be different from the wall or object. Additionally, it is an objective of the present disclosure that the object straightener device is hidden from view once the object has been leveled or straightened and is in the proper location. As to the latter function, either the wall portion or the object portion (or both) can be small enough to incorporate merely a couple or a few hook and/or loop structures for minimal contact, and still providing the desired functionality. 
     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the disclosure will be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to the limit the disclosure, where like designations denote like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the front side of a picture containing the object straightener device for positioning, straightening and leveling pictures in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the rear side of a picture containing the object straightener device for positioning, straightening and leveling pictures in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the front side and wall view of a picture containing the object straightener device for positioning, straightening and leveling pictures in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the object straightener devices for positioning, straightening and leveling pictures in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE 
     Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar features in the various views, the present disclosure pertains to an improved object straightener device that is configured with attachable fasteners to keep an object that could be hung on a wall in the intended position, and to keep the object from moving or rotating. 
       FIGS. 1 through 4  show an improved object straightener device  10  and method for securing objects in their desired, level or straightened position, or in the position intended when the object was originally hung. Although the preferred embodiment shows a picture, one having ordinary skill in the art would understand that the straightening device could also be used on frames, mirrors, clocks or any other objects, and the disclosure is not limited to pictures. 
     The object straightener device  10  is not intended to hang or hold the object to the wall, but is instead intended to allow the user to easily position the object as intended, whether that position is level or otherwise, and to allow the user to easily reposition and/or modify the hanging position of the object from its original or first position to a repositioned or second position as the user&#39;s desires change. 
       FIGS. 1 through 4  also show an improvement to the method for securing pictures in their original intended, straight or level position, in accordance with the preferred and alternative embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIGS. 1, 2 and 3  show an apparatus and methods that incorporates an exemplary picture straightener device  10  that is sized and configured to be attached to the back side  12 , bottom portion  14  of a picture or frame  16 , on the one hand, and attached to the wall  18  that is holding the picture or frame  16 , on the other hand. As detailed above, the picture  16  reference is meant to include any object that can be hung on a wall. Additionally, the object straightener device  10  does not function to, nor is it capable of, holding the picture  16  to the wall  18 , but instead functions to keep the picture  16  from sliding or rotating once the desired or level position is attained. As such, the object straightener device  10  can be very small since the forces it needs to negate are the side-to-side forces and the object straightener device  10  does not need to function to overcome gravitational forces pulling on the picture  16 . The object straightener device  10  is meant to be used in conjunction with other devices used to hang objects and structures. 
     The object straightener device  10  comprises a picture portion  20  and a wall portion  22 . The picture portion  20  contains a picture first side  24  and a picture second side  26  (shown in  FIG. 4 ), while the wall portion  22  contains a wall first side  28  and a wall second side  30  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). The picture first side  24  comprises a picture fastener material  32 , and the wall first side  28  comprises a wall fastener material  34 . The picture second side  26  comprises a picture adhesive material  36 , and the wall second side  30  comprises a wall adhesive material  38 . 
     In use, the picture portion  20  of the straightener device  10  is attached or adhered to the back  12  and bottom portion  14  of the picture  16 , using the picture second side  26  containing the picture adhesive material  36 . Next, the wall portion  22  of the straightener device  10  is attached or adhered to the wall  18 , using the wall second side  30  containing the wall adhesive material  38 . 
     Once the picture  16  is properly hung on the wall using another device (see  FIG. 3 ), and the intended position, whether that is the leveled or straightened position (or another position) is attained, the picture  16  can be pressed against the wall  18 , thereby bringing the picture first side  24  containing the picture fastener material  32  into contact with the wall first side  28  containing the wall fastener material  34 . The picture portion  20  will then be fastened to the wall portion  22  and the picture will be held in the level or straight position. Once implemented, the picture straightener device  10  will be hidden from the front, when the picture is being viewed (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Additionally, once the picture  16  has properly been hung in its intended position, and the picture  16  has been pressed against the wall  18  from the viewing side, the picture  16  can be pulled away from the wall  18  thereby releasing the picture fastener material  32  from the wall fastener material  34 . This will allow the user to reposition the picture  16  and use the same technique to position the picture  16  in a different position on the wall  18 . In certain instances, where a completely different angle is preferred, the picture  16  can be repositioned without the need to rehang the picture  16 . This repositioning allows the user the flexibility to change the position of the picture without removing it from the wall  18 . 
     The picture straightener device  10  does not function to, and is not capable of, holding the picture  16  to the wall  18 , but instead keeps the picture  16  from sliding or rotating once the intended position is attained. As such, the present picture straightener device  10  can be very small, since the forces it needs to address are the side-to-side forces and the picture straightener device  10  does not have to overcome the force of gravity pulling on the picture or frame  16 . For example, if the object straightener device  10  utilizes a hook and loop structure for attachment purposes, merely a few hooks or a few loops can be incorporated to provide the functionality described herein. The present disclosure is meant to be used in conjunction with other picture hanging products and structures. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show the preferred and an alternative embodiment. The two triangles  20  at the corners of the back  12  of the picture  16  comprise the preferred embodiment, while the circle  20  is an alternative embodiment that can be utilized alone or with other devices  10 . The three devices  10  are not meant to be used together, although they could be used together and still be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 4  shows some different designs for the picture straightener device  10 . The design of the two portions  20 ,  22  of the picture straightener device  10  can be triangles, squares, circles, half-circles, or any other shape based on the shape of the picture or frame  16  being hung on the wall  18  ( FIG. 4  shows triangles and half circles). 
     For example, if a picture  16  being hung is a rectangle or square (see  FIG. 1 ), the portions  20 ,  22  of the straightener device  10  can be triangles (shown) or squares for bottom  14  placement, or even half-circular (shown) for placement in the bottom  14  center  40  of the picture  16 . Further, the portions  20 ,  22  of the picture straightener device  10  can be any color based on the color of the wall  18 , the color of the picture of frame  16 , or any combination of the two. In the preferred embodiment, the picture straightener device  10  is meant to be hidden from view, once the picture or frame  16  has been levelled and straightened on the wall  18 . 
     As described herein, the present disclosure includes structures for improving picture hanging devices and the methods of hanging a picture  16  to prevent sliding or rotating of the picture  16  on the wall  18 . In the preferred embodiment, these improvements comprise small picture straightening devices  10 , such as hook and loop type designs that comprise two pieces, a wall piece and an object piece. The picture fastener material  32  and the wall fastener material  34  can be any material that will fasten the picture and wall portions  20 ,  22  together, for example, hook and loop fasteners, so that when the portions  20 ,  22  are pressed together, the two portions  20 ,  22  will hold together until enough force is applied to pry them apart. 
     Additionally, each portion  20 ,  22  will have the adhesive material  36 ,  38  located on the non-fastener sides  26 ,  30 , such that the picture portion  20  can be adhered or attached to the back  12  of the picture  16 , and the wall portion  22  can be adhered or attached to the wall  18 . The adhesive materials  36 ,  38  may be the same materials for both or different materials. Further, each adhesive material  36 ,  38  located on the second sides  26 ,  30  of the picture or wall portions  20 ,  22 , may have a cover (not shown) that may need to be removed before the portion  20 ,  22  is located on the picture  16  or wall  18 , respectively. The adhesive material  36 ,  38  should be tacky enough to hold the portions  20 ,  22  in their respective locations, but not so tacky that the portions  20 ,  22  cannot be removed without damaging the picture  16  or the wall  18 . 
     Once the wall portion  22  is adhered to the wall  18  and the picture portion  20  is adhered to the picture  16 , the picture  16 , which is hung on the wall  18  through other means, can be lined up to be level or straight. At this point, the picture  16  can be pressed against the wall  18  thereby connecting the fastener materials  32 ,  34  and holding the picture  16  level and straight and from rotating or turning from that level position. Since the picture straightener device  10  is not holding the picture  16  to the wall  18 , the picture portion  20  and the wall portion  22  do not have to be lined up exactly. Only an overlap of each portion  20 ,  22  is needed to connect and hold the picture  16  level or straight on the wall  18 . 
     It will be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure, which have been described, are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present disclosure. Although numerous embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. 
     All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the disclosed system and methods. 
     Additionally, joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosed apparatus, system and methods as disclosed herein.