US2180211A - Suspension means for picture frames - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 14, 1939.. E. N. KELLOGG SUSPENSION MEANS FOR PICTURE FRAMES Filed June 5, 1937' INVENTOR.

m xfm M I M Patented Nov. 14, 1939 UNITED-sures }A ENT OFFICE 2,180,2 1. SUSPENSION MEAN S. FOR PICTURE FRAIVIES Edward N. Kellogg Detroit, Mich.

Application June 5; 193-7;"Serial N146Q602 H l 1 Olaim. (aegis-29 This invention relates to suspension means for picture frames and has particularly to do with means for hanging and maintaining picture frames in a true straight position.

Ordinary methods of picture or mirror hanging which comprise hanging the picture wire over a nail in the wall result in the picture becoming askew when it is accidentally jostled as by brushing against it or in dusting or cleaning the picture or the wall covered by the picture. The object or" the present invention is to provide a means for suspending a picture or mirror so that it may always be readily placed in true position and such that it may be dusted or cleaned without disturbing its true position. v

The invention is especially useful in art galleries where it is necessary that the picture be hung closely together and where it is especially desirabie that none of them b aslant. Also in those areas which are frequently subject to earthquakes, the invention is desirable for picture hanging. Other uses for the invention are in hanging pictures in places where they are subject to strong draft or wind disturbances, or any stage scenery where it is essential that the picture be quickly adjusted to true position after the moving of the scenery into position on the stage.

Briefly, the objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a novel suspension device for an ordinary picture wire which is designed to remain where positioned on said wire, and by mounting a novel positioning member on the lower portion of the frame where it will engage a nail properly positioned in the wall.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a picture mounted on a wall, the various elements of the invention being shown in position in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the back of a picture frame showing the relative positions of the various elements of the invention.

Fig, 3 shows a'section of the wall taken through the center line of the picture mounted thereon.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of the lower positioning element of the picture frame showing its relation to the frame and the wall when in final position.

Fig. 5 illustrates a method of locating the position of a pin adapted to engage the lower positioning element of the frame.

Fig. 6 illustrates the manner in which the picture string or wire passes through the upper suspension device.

Referring to Fig. 2 the picture frame 8 is shown in upright position with screw-eyes 9 positioned in the'usual fashion on the side members of the frame. A cord or wire H] is fastened at each end on the screw-eyes 9. A triangularly shaped suspension member or bail l l is provided with a central opening which has a notch at l2 to receive 5 a nail or hook which is embedded in the Wall. This notch l2 lies on the perpendicular bisecting line of the base of the triangle. The picture wire it is passed through holes l3 in the suspension member in a manner best illustrated in Fig. 6. 10 These holes it are located on the base of the triangle. It will be seenthat the wire it] is turned as it passes through the securing plate II at the points it so that when the member H is once positioned on the wire and the Wire is subjected to tension due to the weight of the picture there will be a binding effect between the wire and the member H which will prevent the member II from slipping from its original centered position on the wire.

The centering means for the lower portion of the picture consists of a rectangular metal plate 15 positioned along the lower edge of the picture frame 8 by any convenient fastening means, as for example, the nails Hi. The contour of this metal plate is as shown in Fig. 4, it being provided with cam surfaces IT on each side of an embossed or grooved portion 18. The cam surfaces I? are formed to slope inwardly from the points Ila on the plate I5 to the groove portion I8. The plate I5 is to be exactly centered on the frame 8 so that the groove portion It falls on the vertical center line of the picture.

' In hanging a picture with the device above described, the positioning plate I5 is tacked on to the frame in the manner designated. Thev suspension member I I is positioned on the wire I0 so that the notch l2 falls exactly on the center line of the picture. A pin or nail I9 is then driven into the wall at the point where the picture is 40 to be hung. A pin 2!] is next driven into the wall directly beneath the suspending pin l9 and at such a distance therefrom that the positioning plate IE on the picture frame will register with the pin 20. The proper location for the pin 20 can best be found by suspending a weight 2| from the top pin l9 as shown in Fig. 5. A point may then bemarked on the wall which will register substantially with the positioning plate on the lower portion of the frame- When thepicture is hung by means of the suspension member II on the pin. IS the groove [8 of the plate l5 will engage the head of the pin 20 and the picture will then be exactly centered both at the top and bottom borders of the frame. The cam surfaces I1, due to the angle at which they are formed, serve to contact the pin 20 and guide the pin into the groove l8. The plate [5 will contact the wall at the points Ila and serve to space the lower portion of the frame from the wall thereby lessening the amount of dust that normally collects behind pictures. The Weight of the picture, whether it be small or large, is sufficient to maintain the groove l8 of the plate I 5 in contact with the pin 20. It will be seen that the picture can be subjected to dusting or cleaning without disturbing its true position on the wall, and that any slight disturbances of the picture due to wind or dusting will be automatically corrected" by reason of the sloping cam surfaces l1. Furthermore, if it is desired to temporarily remove the picture from its position on the wall, it may easily be replaced in true position simply by hanging the member H on the top pin I9 and moving the groove l8 into engagement with the pin 20. The

frictional engagement of the wire II] with the member II will prevent it shifting from its centered position unless it is intentionally shifted.

What I claim is:

For use with a picture frame supported at the top by a suspending cord at each side of said frame and a bail frictionally engaging said cord, a centering device fastened at the lower portion of the picture comprising a sheet metal plate shaped to form a recess which is adapted to engage a pin extending from the wall upon which the picture is hung, spaced projections on said plate adapted to contact the wall on either side of said pin, said recess being positioned on the vertical center line of the picture, and cam surfaceson saidplate sloping inwardly toward said recess from said spaced projections to automatically guide said pin to said recess.

EDWARD N. KELLOGG.

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