Abstract:
A housing is provided which attaches to a wall and includes mechanisms for releasable attachment to a wall hanging such as a calendar. The housing may have a decorative facade and includes a depressible button which operates through a spring biased J-shaped rod or flexible strips to move a clasp member out of an elongated slot in the bottom of the housing. The slot accommodates an edge portion of a wall hanging. Securement occurs when the button is released and the spring bias or inherent flexibility of the strip member frictionally engage the wall hanging edge. Alternatively, the wall hanging edge may include an engagement aperture. In such case, the clasp member will pass through the aperture and suspend the wall hanging in the housing slot.

Description:
This application claims priority from Provisional Application Serial No. 60/057,040 filed Aug. 19, 1997. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention pertains to an apparatus for releasably attaching wall hangings to a vertical structure. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Wall hangings such as calendars are typically mounted to walls through primitive attachment devices, which include driving nails or pins through the wall hanging and into the wall. Adhesive means such as glue are also used. However, the aforementioned attachment devices present several disadvantages. Foremost, nailing or gluing hangings into walls creates unwanted damage, including holes and stains on the wall hanging and wall. 
     Hanging calendars create a particular problem because they typically contain multiple pages, where each page represents one month or other time period. In order to access all the pages, the user must repeatedly remove and reattach the calendar to the wall. Such actions may result in wall damage. Moreover, use of the prior art attachment devices can become cumbersome and tedious, requiring the user to repeatedly pin and remove the calendar. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for attaching wall hangings and calendars to a wall or other vertical structure. As used herein, the term “wall hanging” is intended to encompass all types of articles typically hung from a vertical support structure including artwork, shades, posters, charts, calendars, textile materials, decorative articles, lighting devices, and ornate panels. Specifically, the apparatus is attached to a wall, where it selectively engages a wall hanging, thereby removing the need to directly attach the wall hanging through primitive attachment means. 
     Principal elements of the invention comprise a housing having a wall attachment means, a slot in the housing for receiving a predetermined part of the wall hanging and a clasp means for holding the wall hanging in the slot. The housing may be decorative in appearance with a front and rear facade. 
     In the preferred embodiments, the slot extends along a bottom end of the housing. The slot has sufficient width to accommodate the thickness of a wall hanging part such as the upper end of a multi-page calendar. The clasp means includes a clasp member that will releasably engage the wall hanging. If the wall hanging is provided with an engagement aperture, the clasp member will pass through the aperture for a more secure connection. 
     The clasp means includes an activating button accessible from the front facade. The button is connected to an actuating means for moving the clasp member across the slot. 
     The invention encompasses four embodiments of the clasp means. A first embodiment utilizes a J-shaped rod as an actuating means. A top segment of the rod is fixed to the button which extends through a button recess in the front facade. From the recess, the top segment passes through the rear facade and then turns about 90 degrees to a mid-segment. The mid-segment merges into a second turn from which extends a bottom segment comprising the aforementioned clasp member. A biasing means may be inserted between the button and button recess to maintain the clasp member in a closed position in the slot. 
     A second embodiment provides a flexible E-strip as the actuating means. The top end of the strip is fixed to the housing rear facade. Proximate the strip midpoint is a connector element comprising a button attachment part which extends into the housing and engages the button. The lower portion of the strip is provided with the aforementioned clasp member comprising an outwardly directed clasp part. When the button is depressed, the clasp part will withdraw from the housing slot. Upon release of the button, the inherent flexural strength of the E-strip will move the clasp part back into the slot. 
     A third embodiment of the actuating means comprises an L-shaped flex member. The upper end of the flex member is secured to the rear facade. The lower end is provided with the clasp member comprising a clasp element. In its normal position, the clasp member extends outwardly across the aforementioned slot. A connector element comprising a button fastener interconnects the flex member to the button. Alternatively, the element may extend inwardly from the button and simply abut the inner surface of the flex member. Either way, depressing the button will cause deflection of the flex member and move the clasp element out of the slot. 
     The fourth embodiment utilizes a housing comprising front and rear interlocking shell parts. The actuating means comprises a flexible panel extending from the rear shell having a button connector element which secures the panel to the button. The panel also includes a clasp member comprising a clasp projection extending outwardly from the panel free end portion. When the panel is in its normal position, the projection extends into the housing slot to permit operation in a manner similar to the above embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective showing a front facade common to all embodiments of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 1 that is common to all embodiments of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a first embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 3 showing the clasp means in a closed position. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing the clasp means in an open position. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the clasp means of a second embodiment in a closed position. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the clasp means in an open position. 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the second embodiment shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the clasp means of a third embodiment in a closed position. 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9 showing the clasp means in an open position. 
     FIG. 11 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the third embodiment shown in FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the clasp means of a fourth embodiment with a two-part housing. 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment showing the housing parts assembled and the clasp means in a closed position. 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 13 showing the clasp means in an open position. 
     FIG. 15 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the housing shown in FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 16 is an elevational view of the interior of the front part of the housing shown in FIG.  12 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiment I 
     With reference now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 5 show a housing  20  comprising an elongated solid body of predetermined thickness. It is defined by a front facade  40  and a rear facade  50  which are outlined by a top end  55 . The top end merges into opposing side walls  44  which extend to a bottom end  65 . The bottom end  65  is preferably straight and includes a slot  60  proximate its mid-line. Preferably, the slot extends along the entire longitudinal extent of the bottom end. 
     The slot interior comprises a planar slot front side  61  and a rear side  62 . The sides are parallel to their respective facades and to each other. The slot has sufficient width and depth to accommodate insertion of the top end portion of at least a multi-page calendar as depicted by reference  42  in FIG.  1 . Although not mandatory, the midpoint of the aforementioned top end portion includes an engagement aperture  43  extending therethrough. 
     In the lower mid-portion of the front facade is a button opening  22 . The opening has a diameter and depth that is sufficient to permit in and out movement of an activating means shown as button  45 . The depth should also be sufficient to contain a biasing means shown as spring  26 . 
     The button and its corresponding opening preferably have a circular cross-sectional shape. However, other round or polygonal shapes could be used. The underside  47  of the button is preferably flat and includes a fastener opening  48  for a purpose to be hereinafter described. 
     As shown in FIGS. 3-11, the rear facade  50  is provided with an undercut opening  56  for engaging a hook or nail extending from a support structure such as a wall. Additionally, wall spacers  57   a ,  57   b  and  57   c  on the rear facade  50  spatially buffer the housing from the wall. 
     In the first embodiment, the clasp means comprises a solid rod  30  of metal or plastic. The rod is bent into a J-shape and includes three integrated segments comprising a top segment  32 , middle segment  34  and bottom segment  36 . The bottom segment constitutes the aforementioned clasp member. 
     The top segment threadably engages fastener opening  48  extending into the underside  47  of the button. It passes through button opening  22  and through housing upper aperture  38  to a first corner proximate the rear facade. The portion of the top segment passing through opening  22  is circumscribed by a spring part shown as coil spring  26 , which is positioned within the opening to outwardly bias the button  45 . 
     At the first corner, the top segment turns about 90 degrees and merges into a middle segment  34 . The middle segment  34  is located within a narrow rod recess  54  that extends along the rear facade to a housing lower aperture  24 . The lower aperture  24  accesses housing slot  60  through the slot rear side  62 . 
     The middle segment of the rod extends to a second corner where it turns about 90 degrees and merges into the bottom segment  36 . The bottom segment extends inwardly through housing lower aperture  24  and across slot  60 . It terminates at free end  39 . When the assembly is in a closed position as shown in FIG. 4, free end  39  will rest within divot  58  on slot front-side  61 . 
     To move the bottom segment  36  out of slot  60  to an open position, button  45  is depressed into recess  22 . This action moves middle segment  34  out of the rod recess  54 . Simultaneously, the bottom segment retreats from slot  60  into the housing lower aperture  24 , thereby clearing the slot of obstruction. 
     While holding the button in a depressed position within opening  22 , as depicted in FIG.  5  and Arrow B, calendar  42  is inserted into slot  60  as shown by Arrow A in FIG.  1 . The calendar or other wall hanging is positioned in a balanced manner a sufficient distance into the slot to permit a firm frictional engagement with free end  39  when the button is released. 
     When the wall hanging or calendar include a centrally located engagement aperture, such as that shown by reference  43  in FIG. 1, alignment is facilitated by placing the aperture over divot  58  and releasing button  45 . Upon release, spring  26  will return rod  30  to its original position such that free end  39  will pass through the hanging aperture and engage divot  58 . In this closed position, the calendar will hang from bottom segment  30 . 
     Embodiment II 
     With reference to FIGS. 6-8, a second embodiment is shown comprising elements similar to those contained in the first embodiment. Therefore, these elements will be designated by the same reference numerals in this embodiment. 
     The second embodiment employs a solid body housing  20  defined by front and rear facades  40 , 50  with a top end  55 , bottom end  65  and side walls  44 . Likewise, slot  60  extends along bottom end  65  with the slot front-side  61  and rear-side  62  parallel to the respective facades. 
     Button  45  reciprocates within button opening  22 , which is located in the lower mid-portion of the front facade  40 . The flat underside  47  of the button includes fastener opening  48  that engages a button fastener  13  in a manner described below. 
     The mid-portion of rear facade  50  includes a strip recess  14 . Within the recess is located an elongated flexible E strip  15 . The upper portion of the strip is fixed to the housing by a first outwardly extending projection  21 . The projection extends into a corresponding opening in the housing and is secured thereto by threads, adhesive, frictional engagement or other means known in the art. 
     The aforementioned button fastener  13  extends outwardly from a midpoint of the E strip and through housing upper aperture  38 . From the upper aperture, it extends into fastener opening  48  and is secured thereto in the same manner as described in relation to first projection  21 . 
     Extending outwardly from the bottom end of the E strip is clasp part  19 . The clasp part terminates at distal end  25 . As shown in FIG. 6, when button  45  is in its released position, the clasp part extends through the housing lower aperture  24  and across slot  60 . Distal end  25  rests against divot  58  on the slot front-side  61 . 
     Pressing button  45  as shown by Arrow C in FIG. 7, deflects the E strip outwardly and causes clasp part  19  to retreat from the slot into lower aperture  24 . In this open portion, engagement with a wall hanging may take place in the same manner as described in relation to the first embodiment. Upon release of the button, inherent flexibility of the E strip will move the clasp part back into the slot until distal end  25  rests against divot  58 . 
     Embodiment III 
     With reference to FIGS. 9-11, a third embodiment is shown comprising elements similar to the aforementioned embodiments. Therefore, elements equivalent to those in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals. 
     Housing  20  of the third embodiment is basically the same as the second embodiment housing. Proximate the mid-portion of rear facade  50  is a flex member recess  17 . Secured within the recess is an L-shaped flex member  16 . A strip fastener  21 ′ secures the upper end of the flex member to the housing within the recess. 
     In about the mid-area of recess  17  is a countersunk aperture  18 . The aperture extends from the recess into button recess  22 . An abutment part  28  extends through the countersunk aperture and passes through biasing spring  26 . It extends into fastener opening  48  and becomes fixed to the button by threads, adhesives or frictional engagement means known in the art. As shown, the abutment part is provided with an enlarged head  31  that contacts the underside of flex member  16 . 
     The lowermost end of the flex member is provided with an inwardly directed clasp element  46 . When the flex member is straight and unstressed as shown in FIG. 9, the clasp element extends through a clasp opening  23  in the housing and across slot  60  to a terminal end  49  at divot  58 . 
     When button  45  is pushed as shown by Arrow D in FIG. 10, enlarged head  31  moves flex member  16  against the bias of spring  26  and causes the clasp element  46  to withdraw from the slot. Thereafter, wall hangings may be inserted into the slot and become releasably connected in the manner described in the previous embodiments. 
     Embodiment IV 
     With reference to FIGS. 12-16, a fourth embodiment is shown comprising elements similar to those contained in the aforementioned embodiments. Therefore, such elements are designated by the same reference numerals in this embodiment. 
     The fourth embodiment utilizes a two-part housing comprising a front shell  70  and a rear shell  80 . The shells preferably comprise thin-walled molded structures which are interconnected by a peripheral engagement means in a manner described below. 
     The front shell is defined by an exterior front face  75 , a front interior surface  72 , a top end  73 , opposing side walls  67  and a bottom end  74 . Extending along the upper periphery is an upper rib  102 . The rib comprises part of the engagement means for locking the shells together. 
     In the lower mid-portion of the front shell is an inwardly directed boss structure  78 . The boss structure is defined by an inwardly facing abutment wall  79  from which extend three orthogonal polygonal-shaped peripheral wall panels  76 . The panels extend inwardly from interior surface  72  and create a box-like chamber comprising button recess  22 . To provide access to the button recess, abutment wall  79  includes a central orifice  68 . 
     The bottom of the boss structure comprises the upper end of the lower base section  95 . The bottom of the abutment wall  79  comprises bottom ledge  77 . As so disposed, the bottom ledge becomes part of the engagement means that extends outwardly from the inner face  96  of the lower base section  95 . 
     The rear shell  80  is defined by a rear interior surface  81 , a rear face  82 , a top shell wall  83  and a bottom shell wall  84 . In use, the rear shell will be oriented so that the rear face is adjacent a vertical wall structure and the rear interior surface will face the front interior surface  72  of the front shell. 
     The upper area of rear shell wall  101  includes an attachment opening  103  for engaging a wall hanger means such as a nail or hook. The lower shell wall area is provided with a flex opening  104 . The flex opening is coextensive with the boss structure when the front and rear shells are engaged. It extends from offset wall  105  to bottom shell wall  84 . 
     Extending inwardly and downwardly from the upper area of the shell wall into the flex opening is panel  85 . As shown, the panel is integral with the rear shell wall and is constructed of a flexible material such as plastic, metal or fiberglass composites. It extends to a free end portion  87  which is slightly spaced above the bottom shell wall  84 . 
     Extending inwardly from the mid-region of the panel is button attachment part  90 . This part passes through central orifice  68  and into fastener opening  48  where it is fixed to button  45  when the front and rear shells are assembled. 
     From the free end portion  87  extends clasp projection  88 . The projection has sufficient length to engage divot  58  at inner face  96  when the shells are assembled and the clasp means is in a closed position as shown in FIG.  13 . 
     The boss structure and corresponding shell walls have sufficient depth to provide the requisite separation when the shell parts are assembled for creating the slot area  60 . Therefore, when a user depresses button  45  as depicted by Arrow E in FIG. 14, the panel will swing rearward causing retraction of the clasp projection  88  into the lower area of the flex opening  104 . In this manner, connection and release of a wall hanging will occur in the same manner as described in the previous embodiments. 
     The engagement means for the housing comprises two sets of engagement structures. The first set comprises an upper rib  102  on an offset lip extension  100  of the front shell upper periphery. The upper rib engages a coextensive top groove  93  on the inner edge of shell wall  83 . 
     The second set comprises opposing longitudinal ridge structures  77 ′ which merge coextensively into opposing ends of bottom ledge  77 . The ledge and ridge structures include a rib  71 . The rear shell interior surface  81  has a shoulder structure  106  that extends coextensively with the aforementioned bottom ledge and ridge. The shoulder includes a shoulder groove  92  which corresponds with the ledge rib  71 . Therefore, when the above matching shell engagement structures are pressed together, a secure frictional engagement will occur. It will also be appreciated that the shell parts may be secured together in other ways known in the art. Examples are sonic or chemical bonding, adhesives, welding and mechanical fasteners. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrative embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims.