Picture Frame Hanger

Abstract

A picture frame hanger for assisting in hanging a picture having a frame on a wall, the hanger comprising: a generally horizontal member having at least first and second slots therein to receive at least one fastener to fasten the picture frame hanger to the picture; and a generally vertical handle affixed to the horizontal member. The horizontal member has a generally vertical body, a top flange extending outwardly away from the vertical body and a lower flange extending away from the body, the top and bottom flanges forming therebetween a recess in which the first and second slots are positioned. The vertical body is configured to contact the frame of the picture. The horizontal member further includes means for receiving at least one picture hanging element to permit the picture to hang on the wall.

Claims

1. A picture frame hanger for assisting in hanging a picture having a frame on a wall, the hanger comprising: a generally horizontal member having at least one aperture therein to receive a fastener to fasten the picture frame hanger to the picture; wherein said horizontal member has a generally vertical body, a top flange extending outwardly away from said vertical body and a lower flange extending away from said body; wherein said vertical body is configured to contact the frame of the picture; and wherein said horizontal member further includes means for receiving at least one picture hanging element to permit the picture to hang on the wall.

2. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein said aperture is a slot.

3. The picture frame hanger of claim 2, wherein said slot is non-linear.

4. The picture frame hanger of claim 3, wherein said slot is generally arcuate.

5. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein said at least one aperture comprises at least a first aperture adapted to receive a respective first hanging element and a second aperture, adapted to receive a second hanging element.

6. The picture frame hanger of claim 5, wherein said first aperture is a first slot and said second aperture is a second slot.

7. The picture frame hanger of claim 6, wherein at least one of said first and second slots is non-linear.

8. The picture frame hanger of claim 7, wherein said at least one of said first and second apertures is generally arcuate.

9. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, further comprising: a generally vertical handle affixed to said horizontal member.

10. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein said top and bottom flanges form therebetween a recess in which said means for receiving a fastener is disposed.

11. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein said top and bottom flanges are configured to contact the wall and space the picture frame hanger therefrom when the picture is hanging on the wall.

12. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein said top flange has a generally arcuate top surface.

13. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein said fastener fastens the picture frame hanger to the frame of the picture, and the vertical body is sized to fit on the frame without protruding over the top of the picture when in use.

14. The picture frame hanger of claim 1, wherein the means for receiving the fastener is configured to permit the frame to be movably attached to the picture frame hanger to permit the levelling of the picture without removing it from the wall.

15. The picture frame hanger of claim 6, wherein at least one of said first and second apertures is configured to permit the fastener to slide therein to facilitate the levelling of the picture.

16. A picture frame hanger for assisting in hanging a picture having a frame on a wall, the hanger comprising: a generally horizontal member having at least first and second slots therein to receive at least one fastener to fasten the picture frame hanger to the picture; and a generally vertical handle affixed to said horizontal member; wherein said horizontal member has a generally vertical body, a top flange extending outwardly away from said vertical body and a lower flange extending away from said body, said top and bottom flanges forming therebetween a recess in which said first and second slots are positioned; wherein said vertical body is configured to contact the frame of the picture; and wherein said horizontal member further includes means for receiving at least one picture hanging element to permit the picture to hang on the wall.

17. The picture frame hanger of claim 16, wherein at least one of said first and second slots is generally arcuate.

18. The picture frame hanger of claim 16, wherein said top and bottom flanges are configured to contact the wall and space the picture frame hanger therefrom when the picture is hanging on the wall.

19. The picture frame hanger of claim 16, wherein said fastener fastens the picture frame hanger to the frame of the picture, and the vertical body is sized to fit on the frame without protruding over the top of the picture when in use.

20. The picture frame hanger of claim 16, wherein said first and second slots are configured to permit the frame to be movably attached to the picture frame hanger to facilitate the levelling of the picture without removing it from the wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In the drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a picture frame hanger according to the invention, shown in perspective and in use, shown from the rear of the picture;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rear (wall side) of the hanger of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the hanger of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the front (frame side) of the hanger of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the hanger of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of the hanger of FIG. 1, taken from the left side of FIG. 1; and

[0021] FIG. 7 is a side view of the hanger of FIG. 1, taken from the right side of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a picture frame hanger in accordance with the invention, shown generally at 10. Hanger 10 is a unitary piece, preferably of plastic such as polypropylene, having rigidity but not having a surface which is so hard as to scratch the surface of a wall 12 on which a picture 14 is to be hung. Picture 14 has a frame 16. Wall 12 and picture 14 are shown in dashed line, as not forming a part of the invention.

[0023] Hanger 10 has a generally horizontal shape in plan view (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 4), and comprises a generally horizontal member 18 comprising a generally vertical body 20, an upper flange 22 and a lower flange 24. Upper flange 22 extends generally perpendicularly from the upper end of body 20 while lower flange 24 extends obliquely from the lower end of body 20. The configuration of these elements is shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0024] Body 20 further includes apertures 26 and 28, preferably formed as slots, most preferably being non-linear and generally arcuate (see, FIGS. 2-4). In use, discussed below, slots 26, 28 will receive respective nails 30, 32 (in phantom in FIG. 1) for levelling picture 14 on wall 12.

[0025] As viewed in plan view (FIGS. 2 and 4), upper flange 22 of hanger 10 has a generally arcuate upper surface 34.

[0026] Preferably, hanger 10 further includes a generally vertical handle 36.

[0027] To assist in positioning nails 30, 32 in frame 14, respective indicia 36, 38 may be provided.

[0028] In use, hanger 10 is positioned on nails affixed to the wall, preferably two spaced apart nails 40, 42. To assist in leveling hanger 10 on nails 40, 42 a second set of indicia 44, 46 may be provided.

[0029] In use, hanger 10 allows a user to simply and easily level a picture 14 on wall 12.

[0030] First, the user places nails 40, 42 at a desired location on wall 14. The user need only be precise with the desired height, and need not worry if nails 40, 42 are perfectly level themselves, so long as they are generally at the same height.

[0031] Next, the user places hanger 10 on frame 16 in a position so that top 34 of hanger 10 is below the top of frame 14. The fact that body 20 is generally flat makes it easier to place hanger 10 on frame 14. The user secures hanger 10 to frame 14 by hammering nails 30, 32 in slots 26, 28, but not so tightly as to prevent the sliding movement of hanger 10 on frame 14.

[0032] The user may then place hanger 10 on nails 40, 42. If picture 12 is not level, it may be easily levelled on nails 30, 32, since the arcuate shape of slots 26, 28 makes moving picture 12 into the desired position simple and efficient, with no fighting with wires or other traditional methods of hanging a picture on a wall.

[0033] Hanger 10 is sufficiently inexpensive, that a user may apply a different hanger to different pictures.

[0034] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill, as well, that the configuration of upper flange 22 and lower flange 24 spaces hanger slightly from wall 12, and that the configuration of lower flange 24 offers a purchase for nails 40, 42 therein.

[0035] Hangers 10 of different sizes may be used for frames of different sizes, and the arcuate nature of the upper surface of upper flange 22 allows the top of hanger 10 to remain behind frame 16 no mater how far hanger 10 is moved to level picture 14.

[0036] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that picture 14 could be of any kind, such as a photograph, painting, poster or other decorative object, and need not be limited to a two-dimensional object. It could be, for example, a relief or other object having three-dimensional depth.

[0037] Furthermore, it will likewise be appreciated that the picture could be hung from any kind of generally vertical surface, whether a wall or some other kind of surface. Thus, as used herein, the terms wall and picture are intended to be expansive and not limitative.

[0038] Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.