WO2005013774A1

WO2005013774A1 - Picture hanging device

Info

Publication number: WO2005013774A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/003377
Authority: WO
Inventors: Archibald Brian Watson
Original assignee: Archibald Brian Watson
Priority date: 2003-08-07
Filing date: 2004-08-06
Publication date: 2005-02-17
Also published as: GB2404585B; EP1656054A1; GB0318495D0; GB2404585A

Abstract

A picture hanging device comprises a flat plate (10) having a shoulder or ledge (16) extending across a face thereof, the shoulder or ledge (16) sloping downwards in opposite directions from an apex thereof, the plate (10) being formed with at least one aperture (e.g. centrally below the apex of the shoulder or ledge) for receiving a fixing screw. The rear face of the plate (10) may be formed with spikes (24) for pressing into the wall as the fixing screw is tightened, to prevent the plate turning. The hanging cord of the picture is engaged onto the shoulder or ledge (16), to run the length thereof.

Description

Picture Han-ring- Device

The present invention relates to a device for hanging a picture on a wall . It is often difficult to ensure, when hanging a picture, that the picture will hang in a correct, level orientation, i.e. with the top and bottom edges of its frame horizontal. A number of devices have been proposed for overcoming this difficulty, but they are variously complicated in construction, difficult to use or of limited effectiveness. I have now devised a picture hanging device which is of simple construction and easy to use, yet is effective in ensuring that the picture can be positioned in, and remain in, a level orientation. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a picture hanging device which comprises a generally flat plate having a shoulder or ledge extending across one face thereof, said shoulder or ledge sloping downwardly in opposite directions from an apex thereof, and the plate being formed with at least one aperture for receiving a fixing screw. It will be appreciated that, in use, the device is fixed to the wall, then the picture is offered up to the device and the hanging cord of the picture is engaged onto the elongate shoulder or ledge of the device, to run along the length of this. The picture is then adjusted to a level orientation, sliding its cord along the shoulder or ledge of the device as required. The shoulder or ledge fully supports the cord over a substantial length thereof, in contrast to the typical rail etc., and reduces the risk of the cord breaking. Preferably the shoulder or ledge is textured to provide friction to prevent unwanted slippage of the cord along it. Preferably the device is arranged for fixing to wall in a manner such that it is restrained against turning in its own plane. For example, the plate may be formed with a single aperture for receiving a fixing screw, but have one or more spikes or other projections on its rear face, for pressing into the wall as the fixing screw is fully tightened: in such case, preferably the aperture for the fixing screw is positioned midway between the ends of the shoulder or ledge, below its apex. Instead, the plate may be formed with two apertures for fixing screws, spaced apart along its length. Preferably the shoulder or ledge slopes downwardly, in an inwardly direction from the face of the plate, preferably to terminate in a groove running the length of the shoulder or ledge. Preferably the shoulder or ledge is formed on a rear face of the plate. Preferably this face of the plate comprises a lower rear surface for lying flat against the wall on which the picture is to be hung. Where the device has a single fixing aperture, preferably this lower rear surface is formed with one or more spikes or other projections for pressing into the wall, as a fixing screw of the device is fully tightened, to hold the device against turning around its single fixing screw. Preferably the device includes means for restraining the hanging cord of the picture being lifted off the shoulder or ledge of the device, and so readily snatched off the wall. Preferably this restraining means comprises one or more pins passed through the plate and arranged to be slid rearwardly, across and over the shoulder or ledge . An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a picture hanging device in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is an end view of the picture hanging device; FIGURE 3 is an elevation of the rear of the picture hanging device; and FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the picture hanging device, shown when fixed to the wall. Referring to the drawings, there is shown a device for use in hanging a picture, in order to ensure that the picture can be positioned, and will remain, in correct orientation (i.e. with the top and bottom of its frame horizontal) . The device comprises a plate 10 which is generally flat and elongate in form, being rectangular in the example shown. The plate 10 has a flat rear surface 12 for lying flat against the wall W on which the picture is to be hung, the rear surface 12 extending from end-to-end of the plate 10, adjacent its bottom edge. The plate further comprises a rear surface 14 which also extends from end-to-end of the plate 10, but adjacent its top edge: the upper rear surface 14 is spaced inwardly (i.e. towards the front of the plate) from the plane of the lower rear surface 12, and also slopes forwardly. A shoulder or ledge 16 is formed between the lower rear surface 12 and upper rear surface 14, the ledge sloping downwardly towards the opposite ends of the plate, from a central point or apex midway between the opposite ends of the plate. In cross-section, as shown in Figure 4, the ledge 16 slopes downwardly from the top edge of the lower rear surface 12, i.e. inwardly from the surface 12, and merges with a groove 18, which is directed downwardly and forwardly, running along the bottom edge of the upper rear surface 1 . The rear surfaces 12 and 14 are provided by respective rear walls 13, 15 of substantially uniform thickness. The device further comprises top and bottom walls 17, 19 projecting forwardly from the top and bottom edges, respectively, of the upper and lower rear walls 13, 15, and also end walls 20, 21 projecting forwardly from the opposite ends of the rear walls 13, 15. A post 22 projects forwardly from the lower rear wall 13, at a position mid-way between the opposite ends of the plate 10 and spaced downwardly from the apex of the ledge 16. A through-bore extends axially of the post 22 and through the rear wall 13, and is countersunk at its front end to receive a fixing screw S. The lower rear surface 12 of the plate 10 is formed with a pair of projecting spikes 24 adjacent its opposite ends, for pressing into the surface of the wall and serve as a locating means. Posts 26 project forwardly from the upper rear wall 15, adjacent opposite ends of the plate 10 and adjacent the bottom edge of this wall. The posts 26 are formed with axial through- bores into which pins 28 are inserted as an interference fit, for a purpose which will be described below. In use, the device is fixed to the wall W, at an appropriate position, by means of a single screw S passed through the axial bore of the mounting post 22 and into the wall, either directly or into a plug inserted into a hole drilled in the wall . The device is oriented more or less horizontally, before the screw S is fully tightened: in fully tightening the screw S, the spikes 24 are caused to press into the wall, so preventing the device from turning around its single fixing point . The picture to be hung is then offered up into position and its cord, which has its opposite ends attached to the back of the picture frame adjacent its opposite side edges, is draped over the top edge of the plate 10, to engage onto the ledge 16: at this time, the pins 28 are in retracted positions, projecting from the front of the plate 10, so as to avoid obstructing the cord of the picture engaging onto the ledge 16. As the device takes the full weight of the picture, the hanging cord is pulled into the groove 18. The orientation of the picture is then adjusted to bring the top and bottom edges of the picture horizontal, the hanging cord of the picture being free to slide along the groove 18 to the required extent and in the required direction. Then, the pins 28 are pushed forwards, by pressing on the picture itself, for their rear ends to extend across the ledge 16, as shown in Figure 4: this then prevents the hanging cord of the picture being lifted readily from the plate 10, and provides security against the picture being snatched from the wall. It will be appreciated that the device which has been described is of simple construction and quick and easy to fix to the wall, but will enable the picture to be adjusted to a level orientation, even if the device itself is not fixed in a perfectly level orientation. Whilst the device which has been described is arranged to be fixed to the wall by means of a single screw S and includes spikes 24 for pressing into the wall to restrain the device from turning, the device may instead be arranged for fixing to the wall by a pair of screws, passed through apertures disposed towards the opposite ends of the plate 10.

Claims

1) A picture hanging device which comprises a generally flat plate having a shoulder or ledge extending across one face thereof, said shoulder or ledge sloping downwardly in opposite directions from an apex thereof, and said plate being formed with at least one aperture for receiving a fixing screw.

2) A picture hanging device as claimed in Claim 1, in which said shoulder or ledge has a textured surface to provide friction against slippage of the hanging cord of a picture, when said cord is engaged onto said shoulder or ledge to run therealong.

3) A picture hanging device as claimed in Claim 1, arranged for fixing to a wall in a manner such that said plate is restrained against turning in its own plane .

4) A picture hanging device as claimed in Claim 3, in which said plate is formed with a single said aperture for receiving a fixing screw, and one or more spikes or other projections, on a face thereof, for pressing into said wall as the fixing screw is tightened.

5) A picture hanging device as claimed in Claim 4, in which said aperture is positioned mid-way between the opposite ends of said shoulder or ledge, below said apex thereof.

6) A picture hanging device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said shoulder or ledge comprises a surface which slopes downwardly, in an inwardly direction from said face of said plate.

7) A picture hanging device as claimed in Claim 6, in which said downwardly-sloping surface of said shoulder or ledge terminates in a groove running the length of said shoulder or groove .

8) A picture hanging device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said face, across which said shoulder or ledge extends, comprises a surface for lying flat against the wall on which the picture is to be hung.

9) A picture hanging device as claimed in any preceding claim, including means for restraining the hanging cord of the picture being lifted off said shoulder or ledge.

10) A picture hanging device as claimed in Claim 9, in which said restraining means comprises one or more pins passed through said plate and arranged to be slide across and over said shoulder or ledge.

11) A picture hanging device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings .