Patent Publication Number: US-7913967-B1

Title: Adjustable picture-hanger assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The invention relates, generally, to a picture hanger and, more particularly, to such a hanger that is adjustable. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Various adjustable picture hangers are known. Each such hanger generally is adapted to be attached to a surface of a vertical wall for adjustably hanging or suspending wall décor—such as pictures, photographs, paintings, mirrors, collectibles, calendars, and corresponding frames—on the wall surface. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,357 discloses a vertically adjustable wall hanger that comprises a hanger and a hanger mount. The hanger includes a main hanger body, a first set of serrations defined in side-to-side spaced relation to one another on a back side of the main hanger body, and a center slot defined and a hanging hook provided on the main hanger body. The hanger mount includes a main mount body having a second set of serrations defined on a body face positioned in side-to-side spaced relation and sized and shaped similar to and confronting the first set of serrations. The second set of serrations is located on a back side of the main mount body with the main mount body defining a screw hole confronting the center slot on the main hanger body. A center hanger mount is held in the main mount body positioned in co-axial alignment with the center slot provided in the main hanger body. The hanger and hanger mount are assembled together by meshing the respective serrations in the first and second sets of serrations in a pre-selected position to accommodate corresponding positioning requirements of a user of the device. A mounting screw extends through the main hanger body and center hanger mount in clamped abutting assembly with each other to hold the hanger and hanger mount in superimposed lapped engagement with each other in the pre-selected position. 
     Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,425 discloses a vertically adjustable wall hanger comprising a main body—which is securable to a vertical surface with mounting screws, nails, or other similar fasteners—and an adjustable bracket. The main body defines a pair of mounting apertures and is generally symmetrical about a plane passing through axes defined by the mounting apertures. The main body also includes a vertically oriented linear ratchet having a plurality of teeth and a pair of parallel, outwardly-facing, spaced-apart peripheral tracks or grooves. Each of the tracks is open at a top of the main body. The adjustable bracket includes a pair of cylindrical locator pins that enter the tracks at the top of the main body and slide within them. The adjustable bracket includes also a pawl that engages the linear ratchet. The locator pins allow the adjustable bracket to be rotated upwardly so that the pawl may be disengaged from the linear ratchet, the adjustable bracket moved up or down, and the pawl re-engaged with the linear ratchet. 
     However, these and other of the known adjustable picture hangers do not perfectly place/align the wall décor or corresponding frame on the wall surface. More specifically, they do not adjust in more than two ways to accommodate imperfections of the wall décor or corresponding frame and/or construction of the wall surface. They do not adjust in also a continuous manner. Rather, they adjust in a discrete, incremental manner. 
     Thus, there is a need in the related art for an adjustable picture hanger that perfectly places/aligns the wall décor or corresponding frame on the wall surface. More specifically, there is a need in the related art for a picture hanger that adjusts in more than two ways to accommodate imperfections of the wall decor or corresponding frame and/or construction of the wall surface. There is a need in the related art for a picture hanger that adjusts in also a continuous—rather than a discrete, incremental—manner. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The invention overcomes the problems in the related art in an adjustable picture-hanger assembly comprising a hanger adapted to be secured to a wall and defining a substantially central opening of an interior of the hanger. A hanger slide is movably mounted to the hanger, is adapted to slide continuously substantially rotationally in the opening of the hanger, and defines a substantially linear slot of an interior of the hanger slide. A mounting fastener is received through the slot of the hanger slide and adapted to slide continuously along the slot and be fastened to the wall to mount the assembly to the wall. A combination of the continuous substantially rotational sliding of the hanger slide and continuous substantially linear sliding of the mounting fastener allows for substantially infinite placement of the mounting fastener in the opening of the hanger. A hanger hook is fixedly connected to and extends outwardly from the hanger and overlies the opening of the hanger for supporting an object hung on the hanger hook. 
     An advantage of the adjustable picture-hanger assembly of the invention is that it perfectly places/aligns the object—such as a picture, photograph, painting, mirror, collectible, calendar, or corresponding frame—on the wall. 
     Another advantage of the adjustable picture-hanger assembly of the invention is that it adjusts in more than two ways (substantially linearly in combination with 360-degree adjustability) to accommodate imperfections of the picture, photograph, painting, mirror, collectible, calendar, or corresponding frame and/or construction of the wall. 
     Another advantage of the adjustable picture-hanger assembly of the invention is that it adjusts in a continuous—rather than a discrete, incremental—manner. 
     Another advantage of the adjustable picture-hanger assembly of the invention is that it can be manufactured simply and inexpensively and in high volume using low-cost materials—such as high-performance thermoplastic—and processes—such as injection molding. 
     Another advantage of the adjustable picture-hanger assembly of the invention is that it can be easily operated by a person who needs to make a quick and accurate placement of the picture, photograph, painting, mirror, collectible, calendar, or corresponding frame (especially a group of same) on an indoor or outdoor wall of a building with a minimum of difficulty. 
     Another advantage of the adjustable picture-hanger assembly of the invention is that it is reusable, versatile, recyclable, and eco-friendly. 
     Another advantage of the adjustable picture-hanger assembly of the invention is that it can be universally used—such as in residential and commercial applications; on an object utilizing a wire-, keyhole-, d-ring-, sawtooth-, step-, or general-hole application; and on drywall with or without use of a stud. 
     Another advantage of the adjustable picture-hanger assembly of the invention is that it has a robust design, with some parts thereof able to be made of aluminum and/or steel, and is virtually unbreakable. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the adjustable picture-hanger assembly of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood while reading the subsequent detailed description of an embodiment of the assembly taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing of such embodiment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EACH FIGURE OF DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is an elevated top view of an embodiment of an adjustable picture-hanger assembly according to the invention without the mounting fastener received through the slot of the hanger slide of the assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevated top view of the embodiment of the adjustable picture-hanger assembly according to the invention shown in  FIG. 1  with the mounting fastener received through the slot of the hanger slide of the assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevated side view of the embodiment of the adjustable picture-hanger assembly according to the invention shown in  FIG. 1  with the mounting fastener received through the slot of the hanger slide of the assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION 
     An assembly for adjustably hanging an object to a wall according to the invention is generally indicated at  10  in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , where like numerals are used to designate like structure throughout the embodiment of the assembly  10  disclosed herein. Although the assembly  10  is designed to be attached to a vertical wall for adjustably hanging or suspending wall décor—such as a picture, photograph, painting, mirror, collectible, calendar, or corresponding frame—on a surface of the wall, the assembly  10  is described below for adjustably hanging or suspending specifically a picture frame. 
     It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the wall can have any suitable shape, size, structure, and texture and structural relationship with the assembly  10 . It should be so appreciated also that the wall can be made of any suitable material—such as plaster and wood. It should be so appreciated also that the assembly  10  can be employed with a wall of any suitable structure. It should be so appreciated also that the assembly  10  can adjustably hang or suspend any suitable objects and not just those identified above. Details of the assembly  10  are described below with reference to the figures. 
     Now with reference particularly to  FIGS. 1-2 , the assembly  10  comprises, in general, a hanger, generally indicated at  12 , adapted to be secured to the wall (not shown) and defining a substantially central opening  14  of an interior of the hanger  12 . A hanger slide, generally indicated at  16 , is mounted to the hanger  12 , is adapted to slide continuously substantially rotationally in the opening  14  of the hanger  12 , and defines a substantially linear slot  18  of an interior of the hanger slide  16 . A mounting fastener, generally indicated at  20 , is received through the slot  18  of the hanger slide  16  and adapted to slide continuously along the slot  18  and be fastened to the wall to mount the assembly  10  to the wall. A combination of the continuous substantial rotational sliding of the hanger slide  16  and continuous substantial linear sliding of the mounting fastener  20  allows for substantial infinite placement of the mounting fastener  20  in the opening  14  of the hanger  12 . A hanger hook, generally indicated at  22 , is fixedly connected to and extends outwardly from the hanger  12  and overlies the opening  14  of the hanger  12  for supporting the picture frame (not shown) hung on the hanger hook  22 . 
     More specifically and as described in greater detail below, the hanger  12  defines also at least one distance scale, generally indicated at  24 .  FIGS. 1-2  show the hanger slide  16  being adapted to slide continuously substantially clockwise and counterclockwise in the opening  14  of the hanger  12 . The slot  18  of the hanger slide  16  extends in a slight serpentine manner. (This slight deviation from linear is designed to provide more and better operative securement of the mounting fastener  20  to the hanger slide  16 .) The combination of the continuous substantially clockwise and counterclockwise sliding of the hanger slide  16  and continuous slight serpentine sliding of the mounting fastener  20  allows for the substantially infinite placement of the mounting fastener  20  in the opening  14  of the hanger  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the hanger  12  includes a body section, generally indicated at  26 , defining a substantially square cross-section of the body section  26  and an upper section, generally indicated at  28 , defining a substantially triangular cross-section of the upper section  28  (with respect to a plane defined by the page of  FIGS. 1-2 ). The upper section  28  is substantially flush with and integrally extends from a top edge of the body section  26 . The hanger  12  includes also a top level, generally indicated at  30 , and a bottom level, generally indicated at  32 , that are substantially opposed and spaced from each other. The levels  30 ,  32  are connected with each other interiorly along a substantially uniform wall surface  34  defined between the levels  30 ,  32 . The bottom level  32  of the body section  26  defines a substantially uniform ledge  36  extending radially inward into the opening  14  from a bottom of an entirety of the wall surface  34 . The ledge  36  is adapted to support a bottom surface of the hanger slide  16  such that the hanger slide  16  can slide continuously substantially rotationally in the opening  14 . The levels  30 ,  32  are connected with each other exteriorly along at least a closed exterior edge or at least one corner defined by the body section  26 .  FIG. 3  shows the levels  30 ,  32  being connected with each other along a plurality of closed exterior edges  36  and bottom corners defined by the body section  26 . 
     The opening  14  of the hanger  12  defines a substantially circular cross-section (with respect to a plane defined by the page of  FIGS. 1-2 ) of the opening  14  and is defined substantially symmetrically in a substantially central volume of the body section  26  of the hanger  12  such that the wall surface  34  completely outlines the opening  14 . A single distance scale  24  is identified by four series of hash marks  38  and located substantially completely and immediately about the opening  14  on the top level  30 . The series of hash marks  38  are disposed substantially equidistant with each other. Four pointers  40  are located about the opening  14  between and substantially in alignment with adjacent series of hash marks  38 . In this way, the body section  26  defines essentially a “clock,” wherein the pointers  40  point radially inward toward a center of the opening  14  and respectively represent “12,” “3,” “6,” and “9” o&#39;clock. The body section  26  defines an overhang  42  located at (and to immediate circumferential sides of) each of the pointers  40 , projecting slightly over the opening  14 , and adapted to movably mount the hanger slide  16  to the hanger  12 . A side area of the top level  30  includes arrows  44  indicating corresponding “up” and “down” directions along the side area, a bottom area of the top level  30  includes arrows  46  indicating corresponding “right” and “left” directions along the bottom area, and arrows  48  are disposed on the top level  30  outside the hash marks  38  and indicate a “clockwise” direction about the opening  14 . Each of the corners of the hanger  12  is arcuate. 
     It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the hanger  12 , in general, can have any suitable shape, size, and structure. It should be so appreciated also that the opening  14  can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with the remainder of the hanger  12 . It should be so appreciated also that each of the sections  26 ,  28  and levels  30 ,  32  can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with the remainder of the hanger  12 . It should be so appreciated also that the sections  26 ,  28  and levels  30 ,  32  can be connected with each other in any suitable manner. It should be so appreciated also that the distance scale  24  can use any suitable units—such as millimeters, centimeters, and/or inches—and have any suitable relationship with the remainder of the top level  30 . It should be so appreciated also that each of the wall surface  34 , ledge  36 , and overhangs  42  can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with the remainder of the top level  28 . It should be so appreciated also that each of the hash marks  38 , pointers  40 , and arrows  44 ,  46 ,  48  can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with the remainder of the top level  28 . 
     The hanger slide  16  defines a substantially “four-trunk star” cross-section (with respect to a plane defined by the page of  FIGS. 1-2 ) and is slightly convex relative to the top level  30  of the hanger  12 . This design provides structural integrity to the hanger slide  16 . Each of four trunks, generally indicated at  50 , of the hanger slide  16  tapers radially outward from a substantially central portion of the hanger slide  16  to a free end  52  of the trunk  50 . The free end  52  defines a circumferential-arc portion of the trunk  50  that is greater in length than a width of a base  54  of the trunk  50  and substantially a same length as a circumferential-arc length defined between adjacent overhangs  42  of the hanger  12 . In this way, the free ends  52  are adapted to be snap-fitted between corresponding adjacent overhangs  42  into the opening  14  of the hanger  12 . Upon such fitting, the hanger slide  16  is supported upon the ledge  36  of the hanger  12 , substantially abuts the wall surface  34  of the hanger  12 , and is able to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise continuously and smoothly within the opening  14  sufficiently closely between the overhangs  42  and ledge  36 . When the hanger slide  16  is so supported, an arrow  56  located on each free end  52  (pointing radially outward away from the center of the opening  14 ) points toward and can be aligned with certain of the hash marks  38  and/or pointers  40  of the hanger  12 . The length of the circumferential-arc portion of each free end  52  is substantially greater than that of each overhang  42 . Space is defined between adjacent trunks  50  such that the hanger slide  16  is substantially symmetrical. A diameter of the hanger slide  16  is slightly less than a length of each side of the body section  26  of the hanger  12 . 
     The slot  18  of the hanger slide  16  defines a slightly serpentine cross-section (with respect to a plane defined by the page of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), is defined completely through a depth of the hanger slide  16 , and extends substantially asymmetrically from an interior side of the free end  52  of a trunk  50  through the center of the hanger slide  16  to an interior side of the free end  52  of an opposite trunk  50 . In particular, the slot  18  defines essentially three substantially linear parts and a substantially arcuate part disposed between adjacent linear parts. A width of each trunk  50  of the hanger slide  16  is significantly greater than that of the slot  18 . Relative to the center of the slot  18 , a half of the slot  18  is substantially the inverse of the other half of the slot  18 . 
     It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the hanger slide  16 , in general, can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with the hanger  12 . It should be so appreciated also that the slot  18  can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with the remainder of the hanger slide  16 . It should be so appreciated also that the hanger slide  16  can be fitted into the opening  14 , supported by the hanger  12 , and rotated within the opening  14  in any suitable manner. 
     The mounting fastener  20  includes an assembly of a screw, generally indicated at  58 , and an optional anchor (not shown). The screw  58  is adapted to be inserted completely through the slot  18  of the hanger slide  16  from above the hanger slide  16  and screwed into the wall to mount the assembly  10  to the wall. An outer diameter defined by a head  60  of the screw is greater than a width defined by the slot  18 . As such, the head  60  operatively contacts an upper surface of the hanger slide  16  and maintains the head  60  above the hanger slide  16 . The mounting fastener  20  is adapted to slide continuously and smoothly in the slot  18  from an end of the slot  18  to the other end of the slot  18 . 
     It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the mounting fastener  20 , in general, can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with the hanger slide  16 . It should be so appreciated also that each of the screw  58  (including the head  60 ) can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with the remainder of the mounting fastener  20 . It should be so appreciated also that the mounting fastener  20  can be any suitable fastener adapted to mount the assembly  10  to the wall. It should be so appreciated also that the mounting fastener  20  can slide in any suitable manner for any suitable distance. It should be so appreciated also that the anchor can be used if no stud is found in the wall into which the screw  58  is to be inserted. Otherwise, the screw  58  can be used directly without use of the anchor. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the hanger hook  22  includes a stem portion  62  and a head portion  64  integrally disposed atop the stem portion  62 . The stem portion  62  extends integrally outwardly a desired distance from a substantially central portion of the upper section  28  of the hanger  12 , and the head portion  64  is adapted to support the picture frame hung on the hanger hook  22 . When the assembly  10  is mounted to the wall, a substantially upper half of the stem portion  62  is adapted to operatively receive a part, say, a string or wire that is secured to the picture frame and used to hang the picture frame upon the assembly  10 . The head portion  64  operates to retain the string or wire on the stem portion  62 . 
     It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the hanger hook  22 , in general, can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with the hanger  12 . It should be so appreciated also that each of the stem portion  62  and head portion  64  can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with the other. It should be so appreciated also that the stem portion  62  can extend any suitable distance from the hanger  12 . 
     When it is desired to use the assembly  10 , the user of the assembly  10  should determine where the picture frame to be hung is to be located on a surface of the wall. Although the assembly  10  can be used to hang a single picture frame, the assembly  10  is specially designed to be used to hang a plurality of picture frames in a pre-designed arrangement on the wall surface. 
     To this end, a location on the surface of the wall must be first chosen. Then, the picture frame is laid out on the wall, a desired spot is chosen, and a reference point is (or reference points are) marked with, say, a pencil. Then, an insertion point is marked with the pencil about one inch vertically below the reference point(s) to install the anchor (if a stud is not found in the wall immediately behind the reference and insertion points). (This allows use of maximum adjustability range of the hanger  12  in an upright position thereof). Then, the anchor is placed in position, tapped and screwed (by placing, say, a “Phillips” screwdriver into a recess of the anchor and turning clockwise until the anchor is flush with the surface of the wall). Then, the hanger  12  is placed in position over the anchor, and, as described in detail below, the screw  58  is inserted and attached using the screwdriver. It should be noted that no drilling is needed. 
     Of course, if a stud is found in the wall immediately behind the reference and insertion points, the screw  58  is used directly. The screw  58  is inserted through the slot  18  of the hanger slide  16  in such a way that the head  60  is loosely positioned upon the hanger slide  16 . At this point, a judgment is made about where the mounting fastener  20  is to be specifically located relative to the opening  14 . Thereafter, the assembly  10  is adjusted by sliding the hanger  12  to the desired position with the hanger hook  22  being the hanging point, and the screw  58  is tightened to secure the assembly  10  to the wall. More specifically, the mounting fastener  20  quickly and simply is manually slid in the slot  18  and/or the hanger slide  16  is manually slid in the opening  14  until the mounting fastener  20  is moved to the specific location. The distance scale  24 , pointers  40 , and arrows  56  can be used to assist in pinpointing this location. Then, the screw  58  is set into the wall to mount the assembly  10  to the wall. Finally, the picture frame is hung upon the hanger hook  22 . In this way, the mounting fastener  20  is adjustable along both x- and y-directions and 360° to provide perfect alignment/placement of the picture frame on the surface of the wall. Once the picture frame is hung, it is adjusted if necessary for perfect placement thereof, properly secured, and verified. 
     As can easily be seen, use of the assembly  10  provides continuous adjustability of the picture frame in more than two directions and permits leveling, raising, or lowering of the picture frame from less than a millimeter to greater than fifty millimeters and perfect placement of the picture frame on the surface of the wall. Furthermore, the assembly  10  can accommodate wire, serrated metal clips, slotted holes, plates, and/or eyelets of the picture frame in any configuration. Moreover, the hanger hook  22  is designed for universal use. 
     Preferably, each component of the assembly  10  is made of high-performance thermoplastic. Some parts of the assembly  10 , such as the hanger slide  16 , can even be made of aluminum and/or steel. Also preferably, each component of the assembly  10  is made using injection-molding processes. Furthermore, design of the assembly  10  can be modified to provide increased capacity (holding strength) and range of adjustability of the assembly  10 —including increasing thickness (depth), width, length, diameter of the opening  14 , and/or size of the mounting fastener  20  and/or changing material of the assembly  10 . In addition, although the assembly  10  is primarily used for interior applications, the assembly  10  can be used for exterior applications as well. 
     The assembly  10  perfectly places/aligns the picture frame on the wall. Also, the assembly  10  adjusts in more than two ways (substantially linearly in combination with 360-degree adjustability) to accommodate imperfections of the picture frame and/or construction of the wall. And, the assembly  10  adjusts in a continuous—rather than a discrete, incremental—manner. Furthermore, the assembly  10  can be manufactured simply and inexpensively and in high volume using low-cost materials—such as high-performance thermoplastic—and processes—such as injection molding. In addition, the assembly  10  can be easily operated by a person who needs to make a quick and accurate placement of the picture frame (especially a group of same) on an indoor or outdoor wall of a building with a minimum of difficulty. Moreover, the assembly  10  is reusable, versatile, recyclable, and eco-friendly. Plus, the assembly  10  can be universally used—such as in residential and commercial applications; on a picture frame utilizing a wire-, keyhole-, d-ring-, sawtooth-, step-, or general-hole application; and on drywall with or without use of a stud. The assembly  10  has a robust design, with some parts thereof able to be made of aluminum and/or steel, and is virtually unbreakable as well. 
     The assembly  10  has been described herein in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology that has been used herein is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the assembly  10  are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the assembly  10  may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.