Patent Abstract:
A locator for hanging picture frames employs an arm which has a handle dispose at one end. A suspension/marker assembly is carried at a second position of the arm. The suspension/marker assembly comprises a plunger which has a point and also mounts a head which receives a frame hanger. Embodiments are disclosed for both a single mount and for a single or a dual mount application.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to devices and techniques which facilitate the hanging of picture frames and the like. More particularly, this invention relates to devices which aid in the proper positioning of the picture frame. 
   One of the most common household tasks is to hang a picture frame in the proper location and the proper orientation. Typically, a screw, nail or hook with a fastener is mounted to the wall. The back of the frame includes a picture frame wire or other hanger of various functions and forms which is then engaged with the mounted hardware fastener. The precise positioning of the nail, screw or hook is always highly problematic since it is extremely difficult to precisely locate same. Conventionally, the mounting hardware is obstructed by the picture frame when a trial position is attempted and the ultimate hanging relationship is not easily replicated. For large pictures where two suspension points are desired, it becomes quite problematic to properly align the two points for positioning the mounting support. 
   It is well known that one common technique is to essentially guess at the proper position and mark the position more or less with a pencil with the position being essentially blindly marked so that the location of the fastener can be approximated. The problems are also compounded by the difficulties in assessing the proper tensioning on flexible picture frame wires when the weight of a picture frame and the engagement with the wall is finalized. The present invention is a locator used for hanging a picture frame which makes the foregoing positioning process much more precise, predictable and easy. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is a locator device for locating the proper anchor position for hanging a frame. The locator device in one embodiment is adaptable for use with a single anchor mount application and in another embodiment is adaptable for both single and dual frame anchor mounts. 
   The locator device comprises an elongated arm having longitudinally spaced first and second positions. A handle which may be a rod-like member projects orthogonally from the first position. A suspension/marker assembly is disposed at the second position. The suspension/marker assembly comprises a marker and a head for receiving a frame hanger. The assembly comprises a plunger having opposed first and second ends with the head being mounted at the first end and the second end having a pointed configuration. The head has a groove for receiving the frame hanger. The arm further has a bore which receives a portion of the plunger with the plunger point configuration being retracted within the bore in a normal mode and being projectable to extend beyond the bore to mark the proper anchor mount location. A pad may also be mounted to the surface arm at a position generally opposite the head. 
   The locator device in a second embodiment comprises a first arm having a first boss for suspending a frame hanger and a first marker positioned in close proximity to the first boss. The second arm has a second boss for suspending the frame hanger and la second marker positioned in close proximity to the second boss. A connector connects the arms at a selected fixed angular relationship. The connector may comprise a threaded fastener extending through end locations of the arms and preferably has a wing nut threadable with a fastener. A handle is connected by the connector to the arms and is also positionable in a fixed angular relationship with respect to the arms. The handle further comprises a plate-like member which defines an opening to facilitate holding by the fingers. The handle may also have a second opening, and the handle is positioned between the first and second arms wherein a fastener extends through the arms and the connector. 
   The marker preferably takes the form of a plunger having a point which is projectable beyond the boss. In one form of the invention, the point is formed from lead. A pad is mounted on an end of the plunger opposite the point. The boss also preferably comprises a central bore which receives the plunger assembly. In a normal mode, the pointer is retracted within the boss. In an activated mode, the plunger extends beyond the boss. The bosses and markers are preferably substantially identical. 
   The first and second arms form a vertex with the connector being disposed at the vertex, and the markers are disposed generally opposite the vertex to facilitate precisely locating two anchor points for the hanger frame. In this regard, the boss preferably defines a generally arcuate groove for receiving the frame hanger. It should be appreciated that either one or both arms may be employed depending on whether it is desired to locate a single anchor point or dual anchor points. 
   The locator device is configured so that the frame may be suspended from the locator device, and when the proper position is determined, the frame is slightly depressed against the plunger assembly to force the markers to project from the boss to mark the proper locations on the wall or mounting surface. 
   An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved locator for use in hanging a picture frame which eliminates many of the drawbacks and problems with conventional hanging techniques. 
   An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved tool for facilitating the hanging of a picture. 
   A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved tool which precisely locates the proper position of the picture hanger in an efficient and highly reliable manner. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hanger for a picture frame which eliminates guesswork in properly locating the position for a picture frame fastener. 
   A further object of one embodiment of the invention is to provide a new and improved tool for hanging picture frames which is readily adjustable to provide the proper position for either a single or a multiple mounting support. 
   Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and the detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a picture frame hanger locator illustrating the locator in a position for locating a pair of mounts; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear view of the picture hanger locator of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the locator for locating a single mount, portions being broken away and portions shown in phantom; 
       FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the picture hanger locator of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  3 — 3  thereof; 
       FIG. 4  is a side sectional view of the picture hanger locator of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  4 — 4  thereof; and 
       FIG. 5  is a front view, partly in schematic and partly shown in broken lines, illustrating the use of the locator of  FIG. 1  for hanging a picture; 
       FIG. 6  is a front view, partly in schematic and partly in broken lines, illustrating a second mode for hanging a picture using the locator of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a side sectional view, illustrating the relationship between the wall and locator and a picture frame for the locator of  FIG. 1 , which is partially illustrated; 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a method for mounting a picture frame using the locator of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a side view, partly broken away and partly in section of another embodiment of a picture frame hanger locator in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a side sectional view, illustrating a relationship between the wall and the locator and a picture frame for the locator of  FIG. 9 , which is partially illustrated. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the figures, a locator for use in hanging picture frames and similar items is designated generally by the numeral  10 . The locator  10  facilitates the hanging of picture frames  12 ,  14  by properly locating the proper position for the nail, screw, hook or other anchoring fastener (not illustrated) which is to be fixed to the wall W or support structure for suspending the frame. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , the locator  10  functions to replicate the suspended configuration of the picture frame/hanger and to precisely locate the picture in a precise position for either a single ( FIG. 6 ) or dual anchoring ( FIG. 7 ) mount. It will be appreciated that for the dual anchor mount, the locator also aides in the proper horizontal alignment of the mounting hardware. 
   The locator  10  comprises a pair of pivotally connected elongated arms  20  and  30 . The arms are joined by a wing nut  42  which threads against a bolt  40 . A hanger  50  is disposed between the ends of the arms  20  and  30  and is also pivotally joined therewith. The hanger  50  preferably includes an opening  52  or other contoured surface to allow sufficient grasping with a finger to allow a suspension therebelow. It will be appreciated that the arms  20 ,  30  and the handle  50  are adjustable to form a fixed relationship at any of a wide range of angles. The wing nut  42  is then tightened to provide the desired configuration. For a dual mount location configuration as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the arms  20 ,  30  form an inverted V-shaped configuration. For a single mount configuration, the arm  30  may be pivoted away or in a linear configuration such as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . 
   Each arm carries a selectively projectable marker assembly  60  which is best illustrated in FIG.  4 . The rear side of each arm includes a boss  62  with a circumferential groove  64 , which is contoured to receive the wire hanger  13 ,  15  of the associated picture frame  12 ,  14 . The boss  62  forms an interior cavity  66  which, in a normal mode, receives a pointed tip  68  of a plunger  70 . The plunger  70  includes a head  72  with a pad  74  at the frontal side of the arm. A spring  76  is disposed between the underside of the head and the arm to urge the pointer to the retracted position illustrated in  FIG. 4. A  pin  78  may be threaded through the end of the plunger to retain same to the arm. The tip  68  of the plunger may be in the form of a lead point, or may merely be a sharp point which will place a mark or depression in the support surface W when it is depressably projected through the cavity  66 . The tip  68  may alternatively be covered with a marking substance to facilitate marking for example, the tip  68  may be depressed and brought into contact or rubbed with a crayon or graphite may be applied. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7  and described in the diagram of  FIG. 8 , a picture frame  12  or  14  is suspended from the locator by means of the picture frame wire  13  or  15  being positioned in the groove  64  on the top of the boss  62  with the head pad  74  being disposed against the back of the frame and the boss  62  being disposed against the wall W or the support surface. The installer then grasps the hanger  50  and moves the locator with the suspended picture frame to the proper position. When the proper positioning is obtained, a light force is transmitted against the frame in the direction of the  FIG. 7  arrow to project the point  68  to mark the proper position on the wall. It will be appreciated that the hanger  10  may be suitably adjusted (by angular positioning of arms  20  and  30 ) and the frame suspended for either a single ( FIG. 5 ) or a double point ( FIG. 6 ) location. 
   After the position has been properly marked, the picture frame is then dismounted from the locator and the fastener is positioned at the properly marked point, for example, a screw, nail or other hook type fastener may then be mounted to the wall. The picture frame may be then suspended from the fastener and will accurately replicate the position previously marked on the wall. It will be appreciated that the suspension configuration of the picture will be replicated and that the precise location for the anchoring point will be determined by the locator  10 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a second embodiment of a locator for use in hanging a picture frame is generally designated by the numeral  100 . The locator  100  facilitates a hanging of a picture frame by property locating the proper position for the anchoring fastener which is to be fixed to the wall W or support structure for suspending the frame when only a single anchor point is required. 
   The locator  100  comprises an elongated arm  120 . A rod-like handle  150  projects forwardly from an upper portion of the arm. A suspension/marker assembly  160  is positioned at a generally opposite location of the arm  120  and carried by the arm. The assembly  160  includes a head  162  with a circumferential groove  164 , which is contoured to receive a flexible wire hanger  113  of an associated picture frame  114 . The head  162  is mounted to a plunger  170  which is partially received in a throughbore  106  of the arm. The spring  176  of the plunger is disposed between the head  162  and the front surface  102  of the arm. The distal end  172  of the plunger is pointed and in a normal mode is retracted within the throughbore  106 . Preferably, a soft pad  180  is mounted on the rear surface  104  of the arm and also includes an opening communicating with the throughbore  106 . The pad  180  may have a fabric or rubber composition. The plunger  170  includes a slot  178  and a pin  182  extends through an edge of the arm to retain the plunger assembly to the arm. The point may be contacted against a crayon or other similar marking substance to facilitate marking the wall. 
   As best illustrated in FIG.  10  and described in  FIG. 8 , the frame  114  is suspended by reception of hanger  113  in the groove  164  and the locator  100  is held via the handle  150 . The locator with the suspended picture frame is then moved to the proper position. When the proper positioning is obtained, a light force is applied against the front of the picture frame in the direction of the  FIG. 10  arrow to project the point  172  to mark the proper position on the wall W. After the position has been properly marked (not illustrated), the picture frame is then dismounted from the locator  100  and the fastener is positioned at the properly marked point P where, for example, a screw, nail or other hook type fastener may then be mounted to the wall. The picture frame is then suspended from the fastener to accurately replicate the optimum previously marked position. 
   While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth for the purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various adaptations, modifications and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0