Patent Publication Number: US-2023145688-A1

Title: Mounting system, method, and device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 63/277,985, filed Nov. 10, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 63/338,665, filed May 5, 2022, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system, method, and device for mounting pictures, art, and other framed images on a wall or other mounting surface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is common to frame photographs, pictures, artwork, graphic designs or other images (collectively “images”) prior to displaying them on a wall or other vertical surface. There are various known methods and devices that may be used to hang or mount framed images on a wall or vertical surface. 
     A common method for framing images for display includes (a) a frame that may be wood, metal, plastic or other rigid material; (b) glass or clear plastic placed in the frame; (c) matting to help highlight the image or make the image more decorative; (d) the image being framed; (e) paper or matting on the backside of the image; and (f) foam board to help keep the image and other materials in the frame (the “framing materials”). The recessed area in the back of the frame where the framing materials are placed is known as the “rabbet.” The framing materials are generally secured within the rabbet by using pins, staples or other similar and known fasteners. A paper, plastic or cloth dust cover is then attached to the back of the framed image to conceal the remaining rabbet area of the frame. 
     Once an image is framed, there are various known methods and devices for mounting or hanging the framed image. Absent from the known methods and devices for mounting a framed image is an efficient method or device for mounting a framed image that utilizes the framing process and materials and easily allows the framed image to be mounted over a predetermined point on a mounting surface, leveled on the mounting surface, and securely mounted on the mounting surface so that the framed image is flush to the mounting surface. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited by this summary. 
     The present invention relates to a system, method, and device for mounting framed images on a wall or other mounting surface. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting system and method of the present invention utilizes the space within the rabbet of the frame to form a receptacle for a mounting plate that is mounted onto the mounting surface. The receptacle is formed by cutting a hole at or near the center of foamcore that is placed at the back of the framed image. Using foamcore is beneficial because of its light weight and rigid structure, but other dimensional mediums may be used as the frame backing material, such as wood, plastic or metal. In a preferred embodiment, a cup or ring is placed inside the cut-out area of the foamcore to create a three-dimensional receptacle that is designed in shape and size to fit onto a mounting plate that is removable affixed to a mounting surface. The cup or ring is secured to the foamcore by a thin coupling plate that secures the cup or ring in place, forming a sandwich with the foamcore at the center. In an embodiment of this invention, the foamcore has a thickness of at least one-half inch, allowing the resulting receptacle to have a depth of approximately one-half inch. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle and mounting plate are made of plastic or other rigid material and are of a shape, size and thickness that support the weight of the framed image. The shape, size and thickness of the mounting plate is designed to fit removably into the receptacle and allow the image to be mounted flush to the wall or other surface. The term “flush” as used herein means that the backside surfaces of the framed image are parallel to and touching or nearly touching the mounting surface. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the mounting plate has a bulls-eye like opening at the center with targeting guides for ease of locating a predetermined mark on a wall and placing the center of the mounting plate over that predetermined mark. An embodiment of the present invention also includes a bubble vial or other leveling means fixedly or removably attached to the mounting plate for leveling the mounting plate before removably affixing the mounting plate to a wall or other surface. The shape, size, and orientation of the receptacle on the back of the image allow the framed image to be level when placed onto a level mounting plate. Once the mounting plate is level and removably affixed to the mounting surface, the receptacle at the back of the framed image is placed over and onto the mounting plate, creating a mounted, level image. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the mounting plate may be removably affixed to the wall or other surface by using known materials such as adhesive strips, adhesive tapes, adhesives, or using known mechanical fasteners, such as screws or nails. In an embodiment, the bulls-eye like opening at the center of the mounting plate is designed to receive a mechanical fastener for a more rigid and stable attachment of the mounting plate to the mounting surface. In an embodiment, the mounting plate includes one or more angled openings to allow nails or other fasteners to pass through the mounting plate and affix the mounting plate to the mounting surface. In such an embodiment, the combined use of an adhesive strip on the back of the mounting plate and angled fasteners allows large, heavy images to be mounted with minimal damage to the mounting surface. 
     In an embodiment, the back side of the mounting plate includes one or more standoffs that are spring-loaded or that flex and/or break away that allow the mounting plate to be leveled before pressing it against the mounting surface to engage an adhesive strip to removably affix the mounting plate to the mounting surface. After the mounting plate is placed over the predetermined mark on a mounting surface, leveled and removably affixed to the wall, the receptacle at the back of the framed image is placed over and onto the mounting plate for a secure, level mounting of the image. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle is elongated along the y-axis to allow the receptacle to fit onto the mounting plate, slide downward, and removably lock onto the mounting plate. This makes the mounting of the framed image more secure and prevents the mounted image from easily slipping off of the mounting plate. Other means for securing the receptacle onto the mounting plate may be used, including frictional material such as rubber, magnets, or other mechanical means for providing friction between the inner edge of the receptacle and the outer edge of the mounting plate to form a more stable connection between the mounting plate and receptacle. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle and the mounting plate are hexagonal, but may take any common shape, including pentagonal, octagonal, triangular, rectangular, square, any other polygonal shape, circular, oval, etc. 
     The present invention advantageously allows for a secure mounting of a framed image over a predetermined point on a mounting surface so that the image is level and flush to the mounting surface. The present invention also allows for mounting of multiple framed images on a mounting surface by using templates that identify the center of each image where the receptacle is to be located and thus the center of the mounting plate. These predetermined locations for the mounting plates within a collage can be identified and placed onto the mounting surface using the template and without additional measurements. A preferred embodiment of the present method for use in mounting a collection of images includes a selection from predetermined templates for arranging the collection of images into various collages based on the number, size, and shape of the images. The templates, which may be temporarily placed or projected onto the mounting surface, identify the location of the receptacle on the back of each image of the collage and the center of each receptacle. That information facilitates the placement of predetermined marks on the wall for the center of the mounting plate of each image within the collage. A mounting plate is then located over each predetermined mark on the wall, leveled, and removably adhered to the surface of the wall. The receptacle on the back of each image will fit onto the mounting plate in the location established by the template, making a collage layout of properly located and level images. No additional measurements are required and no additional leveling of images is required. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions will control. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification for the present invention. The figures further illustrate the present invention: 
         FIG.  1    is an exploded perspective side view showing a framed image with a mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective side view showing a framed image with a mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded perspective rear view showing a framed image with a mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded perspective front view showing a framed image with a mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is rear view of a framed image with a mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  6   a  and  6   b    are perspective rear views of a foamcore backing of a framed image with a hexagonal cut-out, a hexagonal receptacle cup to be placed into the cut-out, and a coupling plate for the hexagonal receptacle cup, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  7   a  and  7   b    are perspective views of a hexagonal receptacle cup and a coupling plate for locking the receptacle cup into a cut-out in a foamcore backing, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8    is a rear view of a foamcore backing with a hexagonal receptacle along with corner brackets for holding the foamcore in place, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  9   a  and  9   b    show a front perspective view and a front view of the mounting plate with a hexagonal shape, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  10   a  and  10   b    show a perspective rear view and a rear view of a hexagonal mounting plate inside an elongated hexagonal receptacle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective rear view of a foamcore backing for a framed image with a hexagonal cut-out, a hexagonal receptacle cup to be placed into the cut-out, and a hexagonal mounting plate, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  12    is a rear view of an elongated receptacle cup and coupling plate, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  13   a  and  13   b    are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a mounting plate showing angled holes for affixing the mounting plate to a mounting surface, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  14  and  15    are illustrations of collage templates for use in locating a center of a plurality of framed images on a mounting surface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed drawings and description set forth herein. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the drawings. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to the drawings is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond the limited embodiments described. For example, in light of the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, numerous modifications and variations of the invention may exist that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive. 
     The present invention should not be limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. The terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” may be a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. 
     All conjunctions used herein are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term “including” should be read to mean “including, without limitation,” “including but not limited to,” or the like; the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least”; the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and use of terms like “preferably,” “preferred,” “desired,” “desirable,” or “exemplary” and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the invention. 
     Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number for a claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of claim recitations is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). 
     All numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” unless expressly stated otherwise. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. 
     Throughout this disclosure, examples will be provided for using the mounting system, method, and device disclosed. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate additional applications for the mounting system, method, and device. Uses of the present invention may relate to, for example, mounting one or more prints, pictures, photographs, collages, wall art, artwork, or other images on a wall or other mounting surface. 
     The invention provides a system, method, and device for mounting a single framed image or a plurality of framed images on a wall or other mounting surface. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the image is framed with the rabbet area of the frame having a depth of one-half inch or greater. The image is framed according to generally known practices, which may include glass or clear plastic at the front of the rabbet area, matting or other decorative features in front of the image, the image, matt board or cardboard after the image, followed by a rigid foamcore to hold the framing materials in place. Foamcore or foam board is a preferred backing because of its relative lightweight, rigidity, strength, and ease of cutting, but other dimensional medium such as wood, plastic, or metal could be used as the backing of the framed image for the present invention. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, an area at or near the center of the foamcore backing or other medium is cut out to form a cut-out receptacle for a mounting plate. In a preferred embodiment, the cut-out receptacle is located at or near the center of the image on the x-axis and at or above the center on the y-axis. Benefits of creating a receptable at the back of the framed image is that it provides a sturdy, stable mounting of the framed image and allows the image to be mounted flush to the wall or other mounting surface. 
     The cut-out receptacle is shaped to receive a mounting plate that is designed to fit into the cut-out receptacle. In another embodiment, the cut-out receptacle is designed to receive a cup or ring that is fixedly attached in the cut-out of the foamcore backing to form an engineered receptacle for receiving the mounting plate. In a preferred embodiment, the cup or ring is fixedly attached in the cut-out using a coupling plate that forms a sandwich with the foamcore in between the coupling plate and receptacle cup or ring. In a preferred embodiment, the cup, ring and coupling plate are plastic or another lightweight rigid material. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the foamcore backing is fixedly attached in the rabbet area of the frame using corner and/or side brackets that are then affixed to the back of the frame using staples or other known fasteners. Use of the corner and side brackets ensures that the foamcore backing is located even with the back of the frame even if the rabbet is deeper than the thickness of the foamcore backing. This allows the framed image to be flush with the mounting surface when mounted. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the mounting plate is made of plastic or other rigid material and is of a shape, size and thickness that supports the weight of the framed image. The mounting plate is designed in shape, size, and thickness to fit removably into the receptacle and allow the framed image to be mounted flush to the wall or other mounting surface. In a preferred embodiment, there is a means for removably connecting the mounting plate in the receptacle. In one embodiment, the receptacle is elongated to allow the mounting plate to fit into the receptacle and then slide up and removably lock into place. Such an embodiment creates a stable, lasting connection between the mounting plate and receptacle and significantly reduces the chances that the receptacle will slip off of the mounting plate. In other embodiments, there is a means for providing friction between the inner surface of the receptacle and the outer edges of the mounting plate to form a more stable connection between the mounting plate and receptacle. The frictional means may be mechanical or a material, such as a rubber, plastic, or cloth gasket, that provides friction between the inner surface of the receptacle and the outer edges of the mounting plate. In an embodiment, the frictional means includes engineered tolerances between the inner surface of the receptacle and the outer edges of the mounting plate to create friction when punched or pushed together. In another embodiment, the frictional means includes the use of magnets on the mounting plate and within the receptacle. The receptacle and the mounting plate may take any common shape, including hexagonal, pentagonal, octagonal, triangular, rectangular, square, star, any other polygonal shape, circular, oval, clover leaf, heart, etc. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the mounting plate has a bulls-eye-like opening at the center with targeting guides for ease of locating a predetermined mark on a wall and placing the center of the mounting plate over that predetermined mark. An embodiment of the present invention also includes a vial level or other leveling means fixedly or removably attached to the mounting plate for leveling the mounting plate before removably attaching the mounting plate to a wall or other surface. The shape, size, and orientation of the receptacle on the back of the framed image are engineered so that the framed image will be level when placed onto a level mounting plate. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the mounting plate may be removably affixed to a wall or other surface by using known materials such as adhesive strips, adhesive tapes, adhesives, or by using mechanical fasteners, such as screws or nails. The size and shape of the receptacle and corresponding mounting plate are determined based on the size and weight of the image. An image that is larger and heavier may require a larger receptacle and corresponding mounting plate. 
     In an embodiment, the bulls-eye like opening at the center of the mounting plate is designed for use with a mechanical fastener for a more rigid, weight-bearing attachment of the mounting plate to the mounting surface. An embodiment of the mounting plate for the present invention also may have one or more downward-angled openings, allowing a fastener to pass through the opening for affixing the mounting plate to the mounting surface. The use of mechanical fasteners through the bulls-eye like opening or through the angled openings allows large, heavy images to be supported by the device of the present invention. For example, the use of fasteners through angled openings in the mounting plate alone or in combination with adhesives placed between the mounting plate and the mounting surface, allows for large, heavy images to be mounted using the mounting system, method, and device of the present invention. A three-inch mounting plate affixed to a wall with adhesive tape and with nails through the downward-angled openings can support an image weighing up to approximately 150 pounds. For larger, heavy images a plurality of receptacles may be cut out of the back of the image and a plurality of mounting plates used to mount the image onto the mounting surface. 
     In an embodiment, the back side of the mounting plate includes one or more flexible standoffs that allow the device to be leveled before pressing the mounting plate against the wall to engage an adhesive strip or tab to removably adhere the mounting plate to the wall. After the mounting plate is placed over the predetermined mark on a wall surface, leveled, and removably affixed to the wall, the receptacle on the back of the framed image is placed over and onto the mounting plate for a secure, level mounting of the framed image. 
     The present invention advantageously allows for mounting one or more framed images and laying out such images using templates that identify the center of each image where the mounting plate is to be located. These predetermined locations for the mounting plates within a collage can be identified using such a template and without additional measurements. The present invention also allows the images to be mounted flush to the mounting surface and without any additional leveling of the image. 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention for use in mounting a collection of framed images includes a selection of predetermined templates for arranging the collection of images into various collages based on the number, size, and shape of the images. The templates, which may be temporarily placed or projected onto the mounting surface, identify the location of the receptacle on the back of each image of the collage and the center of each receptacle. That information facilitates placement of marks on the wall representing the center of the mounting plate for each image within the collage. A mounting plate is then located over each predetermined mark on the wall, leveled, and removably affixed to the surface of the wall. The receptacle on the back of each image will fit onto the mounting plate in the location established by the template, making a collage layout. A template may be used for a single image or a plurality of images. 
     To illustrate embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings.  FIGS.  1  and  2    provide exploded side views of a framed image  100  with a mounting device  101  of the present invention. The framed image  100  includes (a) a frame  102  that is made of wood, metal, plastic, or other rigid material; (b) glass or clear plastic  103  placed at the front of the rabbet  104  area of the frame; (c) the image  105  being framed; (d) matt board or cardboard  106  to support the image; and (e) foamcore  107  at the back of the rabbet  104  area. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an area at or near the center of the foamcore  107  is cut out. The cut-out  108  is located at or near the center of the foamcore  107  on the x-axis and at or above the center of the foamcore  107  on the y-axis. In the embodiments illustrated by  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a receptacle cup  109  is placed inside the cut-out  108  to form a receptacle for the mounting plate  110 . The receptacle cup  109  is of a shape and size to fit inside the cut-out  108  and onto the mounting plate  110 . The receptacle cup  109  is locked in place using a coupling plate  111  that is on the opposite side of the foamcore  107  from the receptacle cup  109  and fixedly connects with the receptacle cup  108  with the foamcore  107  sandwiched in between. 
       FIGS.  6   a  and  6   b    show an embodiment of a receptacle cup  109 , a coupling plate  111 , and a cut-out  108  in the foamcore  107  backing. In this embodiment, the receptacle cup  109  is fixedly connected to the coupling plate  111  using a plurality of flexible tabs  112  that flex outward and then lock into grooves  113  in the outer edges of the receptacle cup  109  when the receptacle cup  109  and the coupling plate  111  are pressed together with the foamcore  107  sandwiched in between.  FIGS.  7   a  and  7   b    show another embodiment of a receptacle cup  109  and a coupling plate  111  with a plurality of flexible tabs  112  on the coupling plate  111  and a plurality of grooves  113  on the outer edges of the receptacle cup  109  for fixedly connecting the two with the foamcore  107  in between. 
     In embodiments shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the foamcore backing  107  is a thickness to fill the remaining space of the rabbet  104  so that the backside of the foamcore  107  is even with the back edges of the frame  102 . This allows the framed image  100  to be flush with the mounting surface when mounted onto the mounting plate  110 . In other embodiments as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , brackets  114  are used to ensure that the backside of the foamcore  107  is even with the back edges of the frame  102 . The brackets  114  are shaped to slide onto the corners or the side and top edges of the foamcore  107  with the outer edges of the brackets  114  overlaying the back edges of the frame  102  allowing the brackets  114  and the foamcore  107  to be fixedly attached to the backside of the frame  102  so that the back of the foamcore  107  is even with the back edge of the frame  102 . The brackets  114  are attached to the back of the frame  102  using staples or other known fasteners. The embodiment using the brackets  114  is advantageous when the remaining rabbet  104  depth is greater than one-half inch by allowing use of one-half inch foamcore  107  rather than thicker foamcore  107  backing. 
       FIG.  5    shows a back view of a framed image  100  using the mounting device  101  of the present invention.  FIG.  5    shows the brackets  114  for fixedly attaching foamcore  107  to the backside of a frame  102  so that the back of the foamcore  107  is even with the back edges of the frame  107 . This allows the framed image  100  to be mounted flush to the mounting surface.  FIG.  8    shows another embodiment of this invention, namely a back view of foamcore  107  backing for a framed image  100  with a receptacle  109  formed at or near the center of the foamcore  107 .  FIG.  8    also shows a plurality of corner brackets  114  for fixedly attaching the foamcore  107  to the back edges of the frame  102 . 
     In embodiments shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the matt board or card board  106  has a cutout in the shape of the coupling plate  111 . This allows the foamcore  107  backing to be placed against the matt board or card board  106  without distortion from the coupling plate  111 . In other embodiments, for example when the remaining rabbet  104  area is greater than one-half inch and the brackets  114  are used, no matt board or cardboard is used to separate the image  105  from the foamcore  107 . 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the mounting plate  110 , the receptacle cup  109 , and the coupling plate  111  are made from a rigid plastic, but other rigid materials, such as metal, wood, or composite may be used. In alternative embodiments, a receptacle ring is used instead of a cup to form the receptacle  109  inside the cut-out  108 . In another embodiment, no cup or ring is used and the cut-out  108  is sized and designed to receive the mounting plate  110  directly. 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the cut-out  108 , the receptacle cup  109 , and mounting plate  110  are hexagonal, but could be any polygonal shape, or any other shape, such as circular, oval, etc., that provides sufficient support for mounting the framed image  100  to a wall or other surface. In an alternative embodiment, the cut-out  108  may be any shape that is designed to receive a receptacle cup  109  that is polygonal shape or to directly receive a mounting plate  110  that is polygonal. 
     In embodiments shown in  FIGS.  9 ,  10 , and  11   , the mounting plate  110  includes a bulls-eye like opening  116  and a plurality of targeting guides  117  that allow the mounting plate  110  to be centered over a predetermined mark on a mounting surface. Use of targeting guides  117  within the bulls-eye like opening  116  allows the opening to be larger for ease in locating the predetermined mark on the wall and to aide in placing the center of the mounting plate  110  over the predetermined mark. In a preferred embodiment, the targeting guides  117  are arrow shaped and pointing to the center of the mounting plate, but the targeting guides  117  may take other shapes that identify the center of the mounting plate  110 . 
     In embodiments of this invention as shown in  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the mounting plate  110  has a bubble vial level  120  fixedly or removably attached to the mounting plate  110  for leveling the mounting plate  110  before it is removably adhered or affixed to a mounting surface. The cut-out  108 , the receptacle  109 , and the mounting plate  110  are oriented and designed so that the framed image  100  will be level when placed onto a mounting plate  110  that is level on the mounting surface. Alternative leveling means may be used to level the mounting plate  110  before removably adhering or affixing the mounting plate  110  to a mounting surface. 
     In an embodiment shown in  FIG.  11   , the mounting plate  110  is removably adhered to a wall or other mounting surface using an adhesive strip  118  that has a size and shape similar to the mounting plate  110 . The adhesive strip  118  fixedly adheres to the back of mounting plate  110  and removably adheres to the mounting surface. In such embodiment, the back surface of the mounting plate  110  includes a plurality of flexible standoffs  119  that allow the mounting plate  110  to be centered over a predetermined mark on a mounting surface, held against the wall and leveled using the bubble vial level  120  without engaging the adhesive strip  118  with the mounting surface. When the mounting plate  110  is centered over the predetermined mark on the mounting surface and is leveled, the mounting plate  110  can be pressed against the mounting surface causing the flexible standoffs  119  to flex and/or break, engaging the adhesive strip  118  to removably adhere the mounting plate  110  to the mounting surface. In embodiments, the mounting plate  110  may be removably affixed to a mounting surface using known materials such as adhesive tapes, adhesives, or mechanical fasteners, such as screws or nails. In an embodiment, the bulls-eye  116  like opening at the center of the mounting plate  110  may receive a mechanical fastener for a more rigid and stable attachment of the mounting plate  110  to the mounting surface. In an embodiment, the mounting plate  110  includes one or more angled openings  127  as shown in  FIGS.  13   a  and  13   b    to allow nails or other fasteners to pass through the mounting plate  110  and affix the mounting plate  110  to a mounting surface. In such an embodiment, the combined use of an adhesive strip  118  on the back of the mounting plate  100  and fasteners through the angled openings  127  allows large, heavy images to be mounted with minimal damage to the mounting surface. 
     In embodiments of the present invention, there is a means for securing the mounting plate  110  in the receptacle  109 . In a preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  8 ,  10  and  12   , the receptacle  109  is elongated along the y-axis allowing the receptacle  109  to fit onto the mounting plate  110 , slide down onto the mounting plate  110  and removably lock onto the mounting plate  110 . As shown in embodiments in  FIGS.  8  and  12   , the means for locking the receptacle  109  onto a mounting plate  110  includes, one or more protrusions  121  that slide over the mounting plate  110  to prevent the receptacle  109  and the framed image  100  from sliding off of the mounting plate  110 . 
     Other embodiments of the present invention, prevent the receptacle  109  from sliding off of the mounting plate  110  by creating friction between the mounting plate  110  and the receptacle  109 . As an example,  FIG.  11    shows a mechanical means for removably connecting the mounting plate  110  to the receptacle  109 , namely a plurality of male clips  122  at the inner edge of the receptacle  109  and female clips  123  at the outer edge of the mounting plate  110  that clip together to removably connect and lock the mounting plate  110  into the receptable  109  to prevent the framed image  100  from slipping off of the mounting plate  110 . In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  9   , the means for creating friction is a rubber gasket  124  on the outer edge of mounting plate  110  and/or a rubber gasket on the inner edge of the receptacle  109 . The frictional means provides a more stable mounting of the framed image  100  to prevent the image  100  from inadvertently sliding off the mounting plate  110 . In other embodiments, the frictional means may include other known friction causing material on the outer edges of the mounting plate  110  and/or on the inner surface of the receptacle  109 . The frictional means may also include other known mechanical means for friction or by engineering and manufacturing the mounting plate  110  and the receptacle  109  so that there is friction between the outer edge of the mounting plate  110  and the inner surface of the receptacle  109  when the image  100  is mounted. The frictional means may also include use of magnets to create a magnetic connection between the mounting plate  110  and the receptacle  109 . 
       FIGS.  14  and  15    are illustrations of multi-image templates  125  used with the mounting plate  110  of the present invention to locate the center point for each framed image  100  within collection of images. In an embodiment of this invention, a template  125  is selected from a library of predetermined templates for arranging the collection of framed images  100  on a mounting surface to form a collage or other arrangement of images. Each template  125  shows the shape and location of the receptacle  109  on the back of each framed image  100  within the template  125  and also shows the center point  126  of each mounting plate  110  for each image. Once the collage arrangement is selected, images  100  are sized and framed based on the template  125  and then the template  125  may be attached or projected onto the mounting surface and used to identify and mark the center point for each mounting plate  110  to be placed onto the mounting surface. 
     The present invention advantageously allows for mounting one or more framed images  100  and laying out such framed images  100  using templates  125  that identify the center of each mounting plate  110  for each framed image  100  that is to be mounted on the mounting surface for form a collage or collection of framed images  125 . These predetermined locations for the mounting plates  110  within a collection of images  100  can be identified using the template  125  and do not require any additional measurements for locating the center of the mounting plates  110  or the images  100  on the mounting surface. The present invention also advantageously allows the framed images  100  to be mounted level on the mounting surface when the mounting plates  110  are leveled before each mounting plate  110  is removably affixed to the mounting surface and when the receptacle  109  on the back of the images  100  is placed over the level mounting plates  110 . Templates  125  may be used for a single image or a plurality of images. 
     It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.