Abstract:
An improved hanger for mounting mirrors and pictures mounted in frames, and in particular, heavy mirrors and heavy pictures mounted in frames, the improved hanger having a top end and a bottom end, the top end having a groove disposed parallelledly to the wall on which the mirror or picture mounted in a frame is to be hung, the groove having a flared opening and parallel side walls terminating in a flat bottom wall having arcuate edges where the bottom wall intersects the side walls of the improved hanger, the improved hanger having at least one diagonal aperture there through for the receipt of a fastening means and one or more horizontal countersunk apertures for receipt of a fastening means.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to hangers that are attached to walls for supporting objects such as mirrors and pictures mounted in frames, and it particularly relates to hangers utilized for hanging heavy mirrors and pictures mounted in frames by means of a fastener which passes through the improved hanger and into the wall. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Applicant is the holder of U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,244 for a hanger attached to a wall for supporting objects such as mirrors and pictures mounted in frames. The &#39;244 patent discusses the prior art known to the Applicant at the time of the filing of that application, and it is incorporated herein. 
         [0005]    The improved hanger incorporates improved structure developed by the Applicant through testing and use, and in particular, for the support of larger and heavier mirrors and pictures mounted in frames and further addresses safety issues with respect to these heavier objects mounted on walls. 
         [0006]    In addition, Applicant&#39;s improved hanger incorporates a security, anti-theft device to prevent the hanging object from being removed from the hanger, and hence the wall, by an unauthorized individual. 
         [0007]    Applicant&#39;s improved hanger has application to mirrors and pictures mounted in frames which may have taut wires stretched across their frames for hanging, and also to mirrors and the pictures mounted in frames which utilize a saw-tooth hanging clip for mounting. 
         [0008]    The improved hanger of the present invention can also be used with a novel installation guide strip for locating the desired position of the mirror or picture in a frame on a wall and allowing for the marking of the exact position where the improved hanger should be secured to insure the accuracy of the positioning of the object to be hung. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel improved hanger for mirrors and pictures mounted in frames which will safely support heavy mirrors and pictures mounted in frames. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to provide for a novel improved hanger for mirrors and pictures mounted in frames in which the hanger can support mirrors and pictures mounted in frames which are hung by a taut wire or by a saw-toothed hanging clip. 
         [0011]    It is a still further object of the present invention to provide for a novel improved hanger for mirrors and pictures mounted in frames in which when mounted, neither the improved hanger, the taut metal wire, or the saw-toothed hanging clip are visible. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide for a novel improved hanger for mirrors and pictures mounted in frames which provides stability to the mirror or picture mounted in frame. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide for a novel improved hanger for mirrors and pictures mounted in frames, which includes a security device which prevents the unauthorized removal of the object from the hanger. 
         [0014]    It is a still further object of the present invention to provide for a novel improved hanger for mirrors and pictures mounted in frames which improved hanger is cooperative with an installation guide strip to insure the accurate location of the object on the wall and the exact location of the improved hanger for such installation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    An improved hanger for mounting mirrors and pictures mounted in frames, and in particular, heavy mirrors and heavy pictures mounted in frames, the improved hanger having a top end and a bottom end, the top end having a groove disposed parallelledly to the wall on which the mirror or picture mounted in a frame is to be hung, the groove having a flared opening and parallel side walls terminating in a flat bottom wall having arcuate edges where the bottom wall intersects the side walls of the improved hanger, the improved hanger having at least one diagonal aperture there through for the receipt of a fastening means and one or more horizontal countersunk apertures for receipt of a fastening means. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the improved hanger of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the improved hanger of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the improved hanger of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a second embodiment of the improved hanger of the present invention incorporating a security device; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a side exploded view of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a second embodiment of the security device; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a second embodiment of the security device; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a front view of an installation guide strip. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the improved hanger of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a top view, and  FIG. 3  is a front view. The improved hanger  10  has a body portion  12  defined by an upper groove portion  14  and a lower support portion  16 . Body portion  12  is further defined by a front face  18 , and a rear face  20 , which will juxtapose the wall  22  of a room onto which the improved hanger  10  is positioned in order to support a mirror or picture mounted in a frame. The improved hanger  10  also is defined by a peripheral side wall  24 . 
         [0027]    The improvement to the groove portion  14  of improved hanger  10  is with respect to the cross-section of the groove portion itself as more fully illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The groove portion is no longer a V-cut in cross-section across the upper peripheral wall of the improved hanger  10 , but now consists of a groove or a slot  30  having parallel side walls  32  and  34  and a bottom wall  36 . The side walls  32  and  34  are flared or beveled outwardly  38  and  40  at their upper terminus. Still further, the bottom wall  36  is planar and at its terminal intersections  38  and  40  with the peripheral side wall  24 , the bottom wall  36  is arcuate or rounded  35  at its intersection with the peripheral side wall thereby eliminating any angled intersection which could abrade a wire. 
         [0028]    The width of the groove or slot  30  is sufficient to receive the saw tooth horizontal portion of a hanging clip  37  attached to the top frame member of a picture mounted in a frame or a mirror and at the same time is adapted to accept a picture wire  39  attached to a picture frame. The flared upper portion  38  and  40  of groove or slot  30  allows for the facile positioning and engagement of either type of hanging device into groove or slot  30 . The curvature of the terminus of the intersection of the planar bottom wall  36  with the peripheral side walls  24  eliminates any sharp edges with respect to a wire attachment and eliminates any unwanted pressure points either on the wire attachment itself or the pressure exerted by the wire onto the hanger as a result of the weight of the attached mirror or picture mounted in a frame. 
         [0029]    The improved hanger  10  of the present invention is secured to the wall and stabilized by a plurality of apertures formed in the support portion  16 . A centrally disposed aperture  50  which is countersunk is the largest aperture and dimensioned to receive wall plugs, toggles, or other wall fasteners which substantially increase the weight capacity of the improved hanger and minimize safety concerns. The countersunk aperture allows the head of the fastener to be recessed allowing the hanging object to be flush with the wall. Disposed on either side of central aperture  50  are a pair of 45 degree countersunk nail holes  52 , preferably in the same alignment with centrally disposed aperture  50 . Positioned below centrally disposed aperture  50  is a third countersunk nail hole  54  which is disposed perpendicularly through support portion  16 . 
         [0030]    The wall plug, toggle, or other wall fastener utilized with centrally disposed aperture  50  provides the increased weight bearing capacity. The two 45 degree countersunk nail holes  52  provide additional weight bearing capacity while the countersunk nail hole  54  provides the rotational stability to the improved hanger  10 . When the improved hanger  10  is attached to a wall, it is sufficiently elevated that it easily fits into a groove between saw teeth of a picture hanging clip that is attached to the top frame member of a picture, or the like, thereby being hidden from view. It is also well adapted to accept a picture wire attached to a picture frame, and because of the flat planar bottom of the groove, and the rounded edges, minimize any tendency for the wire to slip sideways and cause the picture frame to tilt. Its use with a wire frame also permits it to be hidden from view. 
         [0031]    Improved hanger  10  is manufactured from a polymer, such as propylene, epoxy, nylon, or polycarbonate. It is inexpensive to manufacture, light in weight, yet strong and rigid. Improved hanger  10  as illustrated, is generally ovoid in shape having a flattened upper groove end. It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that the body portion shape may vary. 
         [0032]    Improved hanger  10  can also be produced in a range of sizes for supporting picture or mirror frames of a variety of sizes and weights. Generally, the greater the surface area of the support portion  16 , the greater weight can be supported. Further, having the groove or slot  30  close to the wall is advantageous when supporting very small pictures, because the picture will be able to hug the wall. However, it is also extremely advantageous when supporting a very heavy picture or mirror because the shape of the improved hanger and the size of the support portion  16  minimize pivoting forces on the fasteners. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  are a front view, side view and side exploded view of a second embodiment of the improved hanger  10 A of the present invention which exhibits slight modifications in order to incorporate a security device which prevents the unauthorized removal or theft of a picture, mirror, or other object which is supported by the improved hanger  10 A. The modification to the improved hanger  10 A includes alignable apertures  70  and  72  formed in parallel side walls  32 A and  34 A of groove portion  14 A. A security plate  74  preferably formed of metal having a peripheral circumference  76  coincidental with the periphery of the improved hanger  10 A, and having a bottom planar surface  78  is interposed between the rear face  20 A of improved hanger  10 A and the wall. Security plate  74  has a plurality of apertures there through which when so positioned, align with the apertures  50 A,  52 A, and  54 A through support portion  16 A of improved hanger  10 A. The upper end  82  of security plate  74  includes a protruding finger  84  which engages in the aligned apertures  70  and  72  in side walls  32 A and  34 A of groove portion  14 A. The improved hanger  10 A and security plate  74  would be affixed to the wall in the manner previously described. The finger member  84  of security plate  74  is formed of spring steel. When the saw tooth clip  37  or the taut wire  39  of a picture frame or mirror or other object is pressed or pushed downwardly into groove or slot  30 A, finger member  84  is displaced downwardly allowing for the saw tooth clip  37  or taut wire  39  to pass below the finger member  84  and engage or rest on bottom wall  36 A of groove portion  14 A. Finger member  84  after the passage of the taut wire or saw tooth clip, rebounds or returns to its original position and is engaged against the circumferential wall of the aperture  70  formed in the front face  18 A of groove portion  14 A, thus providing a stop which prevents the picture, frame, or other object from being lifted out of the improved hanger  10 A. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a side view and  FIG. 8  is a front view of another embodiment of the security device illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 . The security device of  FIGS. 7 and 8  serves the same purpose as the security device as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 . However, the security device in  FIGS. 7 and 8  partially encapsulates the improved hanger  10 A. The metal security plate  74 A as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , has a rear face  90  interposed between rear face  20 A of improved hanger  10 A, and the wall, and has a front face  92  which overlies the front face  18 A of improved hanger  10 A. Both the front face  92  and the rear face  90  have a plurality of aligned apertures  94  which are alignable with the apertures in the improved hanger  10 A. Front face  92  and rear face  90  are connected by a lower wall  96  which engages the lower periphery of hanger  10 A. The front face  92  of security plate  74 A has an upper lip  98  which overlaps the upper surface of side wall  32 A of groove portion  14 A. Proximate this upper lip  98 , is a vertical longitudinal aperture  100  which engages finger member  84 A extending forwardly from rear face  90  of security plate  74 A. Aperture  100  is aligned with apertures  70 A and  72 A in side walls  32 A and  34 A. The purpose of security plate  74 A and its operation are identical to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 . The saw-tooth clip or taut wire attached to the object to be hung, is allowed to pass downwardly displacing finger member  84 A until the saw-tooth clip or taut wire is engaged in the groove or slot  14 A. The finger member  84 A is then allowed to spring backwardly into a horizontal position and be lockingly engaged with the apertures formed in the front face of the security plate  74 A. 
         [0035]    It should be noted that the security plate embodiment of the hanger of the present invention is an optional embodiment of the hanger. The hanger may be used with or without the security plate. The use of the security plate would be within the purview of the purchaser depending upon the intended use and location of the hanger. 
         [0036]    The improved hanger of the present invention may also be used with an installation strip which allows for individuals to accurately locate and identify the positioning of the object to be hung prior to any apertures or holes being made in the wall surface. It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that the location of the hook or the hanger upon which an object will hang on a wall is difficult to gauge or measure, particularly when the object to be hung is to be hung by a taut wire, which is not necessary taut. Oftentimes individuals have to make and repair multiple apertures or holes in the walls with fasteners to correctly locate the position and height of the hanger in order to obtain the desired positioning of the object to be hung. 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a front view of an installation strip which forms part of Applicant&#39;s assembly for accurately hanging an object. The installation strip  120  can be made of any suitable rigid material. It contains an upper end  122  which is the handle end, and may include an aperture  124  for the insertion there through of one or more fingers. Extending downwardly from the handle end  122 , is a longitudinal strip  126  which is rigidly secured to the handle end  122 . A first improved hanger  10  of the present invention is fixedly secured to this strip by a plurality of fasteners. A second improved hanger  10  of the present invention is further secured to this longitudinal strip at a point below the first improved hanger. 
         [0038]    In use, an individual would grip the installation strip  120  by handle end  122 . The object to be hung would be positioned on one of the improved hangers  10 . The choice of which improved hanger depends on the size of the object, the type of hanging mechanism, taut wire, or saw-tooth clip, and the distance between the saw-tooth clip or taut wire and the top of the object. 
         [0039]    For a light weight object, the user would position the installation strip  120  against the wall and hang the object from the desired improved hanger  10 . Utilizing the handle end  122 , the user can manipulate the object up, down, left or right in response to the eye of a observer viewing the object on the wall. Once the observer identifies the correct location, the painting is removed from the improved hanger, while the installation strip remains held in its final location. The holder or observer can then mark the location of the improved hanger that is secured to the installation strip in relationship to the adjacent wall by making slight hash marks along its periphery. The user can then use an identical improved hanger and affix it to the wall at that location so that the object may be hung in the position desired. For light objects the installation may require only two individuals, a user/holder, and an observer. For heavier objects, the individual holding the installation strip may not be able to support the object if it is heavy, and thus the installation may require a user holding the installation strip, and one or more assistants providing aid in elevating the object while the observer corrects the positioning. Thereafter, the process remains the same. The assistants would remove the painting, the observer or user would mark the location of the improved hanger affixed to the longitudinal strip by making indicia against the adjacent wall, and then the appropriate sized improved hanger would be affixed to the wall at that location. 
         [0040]    Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalence thereof.