Provided is, among other things, an apparatus for facilitating the hanging of an object on a wall or other surface. The apparatus includes: a main body section having a front surface and an elongated first opening; an upper section connected to the main body section and having a protruding portion that protrudes away from the front surface; a lower section connected to the main body section and having a second opening for accepting, as well as a structure for holding, a hanging/attachment element; and a securing mechanism. The upper section is slidably attached to the main body section via the elongated first opening and thereby capable of moving vertically up and down said main body section, but can be temporarily fixed at a desired position along the main body section by using the securing mechanism.

A device for marking a picture hanging spot on a mounting surface has a general U-shape encompassed by a support base, a front arm and a rear arm. The device is further provided with at least one bore, at least one pressing rod adjustably engaging within the bore, a plurality of padding means inward the U-shape, and a marking means on the rear arm facing the mounting surface. Therein, the pressing rod and the marking means are coaxially aligned, and the axis thereof is substantially perpendicular to the picture hanging spot on the mounting surface. Thereby, the pressure exerted on the pressing rod transfers through the axis thereof to the marking means that leaves a mark on the mounting surface.

A marking apparatus and its method of use facilitate blind slide-mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. The apparatus includes a post element, a retention element, a tightening element and a cover. The retention element is movable against resilient bias to allow the apparatus to capture a mounting slot in the object. The resilient bias moves the retention element to a gripping position, and the cover can be rotated so as to cause the tightening element to secure the grip of the apparatus to the object. When the object is aligned with and pushed toward the mounting surface, the cover moves against an elastic bias to allow a marking end of the apparatus to contact the mounting surface so as mark the appropriate location for installation of a fastener to supportingly engage the slide-mount slot of the object.

A picture framing system includes at least a first picture frame and a second picture frame, each picture frame including a wall-mountable inner portion configured to secure a picture therein and having mounting means, and an outer portion configured to removably secure to the inner portion. The upper inner portion includes equally spaced apart openings. The mounting means include a plurality of interlocking fins extending outwardly from each of the inner portions to facilitate connecting a first picture frame inner portion to a second picture frame inner portion. Picture frame components of the picture frame system and methods for using same to mount the picture frames are also disclosed.

The present invention includes methods, devices, kits, and components of an apparatus that can assist a user to identify locations of attachment points or openings on a frame and transferring those measurements to a wall for purposes of supporting a picture that is level.

A surface mount includes a base plate, set of magnets, and magnet retaining plate. Magnetic coupling between the magnets and the metallic base plate that has an area larger than the magnet area allows for accurate positioning of the object after installation via adjustments in horizontal, vertical, and angular position of the object. Marking pegs allow for trouble-free and easy marking of the mounting surface for installing the magnet retaining plate. Optional spacers provide flexibility for use with various mounted objects. Lighting and lighting control allow for visual effects associated with the surface mount.

The present invention includes devices and methods that assist in hanging pictures or other things in a desired position on a wall or other surface where it is desired to insert two or more mounting nails or studs. Embodiments of the invention include a pair of nail-inserting punch assemblies that are provided on one or more stabilizing bars, although other embodiments may include more than two punch assemblies. Preferred embodiments may also include a measuring strip (ruler) between the punch assemblies, a slidable level, a slidable nail or stud carrier, and/or a laser. The unique nail insertion mechanism of each punch includes a sleeve for receiving a finishing nail, a magnet for holding the nail in place, and a coil spring for maintaining the handle in striking position. After positioning the device on a wall, applying punching force to each handle collapses the spring and causes a nail to be driven into the wall.

The present invention includes devices and methods that assist in hanging pictures or other things in a desired position on a wall or other similar surface where it is desired to insert two or more mounting nails. Embodiments of the invention include a pair of punch assemblies for inserting the nails provided on a pair of parallel stabilizing bars, although other embodiments may include more than two punch assemblies. Preferred embodiments also include a measuring strip (ruler) between the punch assemblies, and a slidable level and/or a laser. The unique nail insertion mechanism includes a sleeve for receiving a finishing nail, a magnet for holding the nail in place, and a coil spring for maintaining the handle in striking position. After positioning the device on a wall, applying force to each handle collapses the spring and causes a nail to be driven into the wall.

A device for marking a picture hanging spot on a mounting surface has a general U-shape encompassed by a support base, a front arm and a rear arm. The device is further provided with at least one bore, at least one pressing rod adjustably engaging within the bore, a plurality of padding means inward the U-shape, and a marking means on the rear arm facing the mounting surface. Therein, the pressing rod and the marking means are coaxially aligned, and the axis thereof is substantially perpendicular to the picture hanging spot on the mounting surface. Thereby, the pressure exerted on the pressing rod transfers through the axis thereof to the marking means that leaves a mark on the mounting surface.

An anchor assembly for hanging an object on a wall includes a first anchor component and a second anchor component. The first anchor component includes a base having front, back, top, bottom, left and right sides, and at least one wall penetrating retainer extending from the base and having a wall penetrating extent that protrudes rearwardly of the base and has a downwardly curved configuration. The second anchor component includes a base having front, back, top, bottom, left and right sides, at least one wall penetrating retainer extending from the base of the second anchor component and having a wall penetrating extent that protrudes rearwardly of the base of the second anchor component and has a curved configuration. The second anchor component is pivotably associated with the first anchor component for movement between an anchoring orientation and a non-anchoring orientation.