MOUNTING DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for mounting a framed image, such as a canvas painting stretched across a wooden frame, on a wall or other mounting surface by using the back edge of the frame and a mounting device to mount the framed image flush to the mounting surface.

Claims

1. A mounting device for mounting a framed image to a mounting surface, the mounting device comprising: a mounting interface that is configured to be secured to a frame of the framed image, thereby moving said mounting interface to an installed configuration; a mounting plate that is configured to be secured to the mounting surface, thereby moving said mounting plate to an installed configuration; and a mounting bracket that is configured to be secured to the mounting plate, thereby moving said mounting bracket to an installed configuration, wherein said mounting interface is configured to engage with said mounting bracket when said mounting interface and said mounting bracket are in respective installed configurations, thereby mounting the framed image to the mounting surface.

2. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein said mounting interface comprises a mounting angle, said mounting angle being configured to engage with the frame of the framed image.

3. The mounting device of claim 2, wherein said mounting angle of said mounting interface comprises a location feature that is configured to facilitate positioning the mounting interface relative to a mark on the frame of the framed image.

4. The mounting device of claim 2, wherein said mounting bracket comprises a receptacle defining a void for receiving at least a portion of said mounting interface.

5. The mounting device of claim 4, wherein said receptacle includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending therefrom, thereby forming said void.

6. The mounting device of claim 5, wherein said mounting plate comprises: a bonding surface that is configured to bond to the mounting surface, thereby securing said mounting plate to the mounting surface; and a plurality of standoffs, an aft surface of each standoff being positioned aft of said bonding surface of said mounting plate, thereby facilitating positioning and orienting said mounting plate on the mounting surface, wherein each standoff is configured to move relative to said bonding surface upon said mounting plate being positioned and oriented, thereby facilitating bonding said mounting plate to the mounting surface.

7. The mounting device of claim 6, wherein said mounting plate comprises a location feature that is configured to facilitate positioning the mounting plate relative to a mark on the mounting surface.

8. The mounting device of claim 7, further comprising a retaining nut, said retaining nut being configured to engage with a threaded mid-section of said mounting plate.

9. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising a retaining nut, said retaining nut being configured to engage with a threaded mid-section of said mounting plate.

10. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein said mounting plate comprises: a bonding surface that is configured to bond to the mounting surface, thereby securing said mounting plate to the mounting surface; and a plurality of standoffs, an aft surface of each standoff being positioned aft of said bonding surface of said mounting plate, thereby facilitating positioning and orienting said mounting plate on the mounting surface, wherein each standoff is configured to move relative to said bonding surface upon said mounting plate being positioned and oriented, thereby facilitating bonding said mounting plate to the mounting surface.

11. A method of mounting a framed image to a mounting surface, the method comprising: securing a mounting interface to a frame of the framed image, thereby moving the mounting interface to an installed configuration; securing a mounting bracket to the mounting surface, thereby moving the mounting bracket to an installed configuration; securing a mounting bracket to the mounting plate, thereby moving the mounting bracket to an installed configuration; and engaging the mounting interface with the mounting bracket when the mounting interface and the mounting bracket are in respective installed configurations, thereby mounting the framed image to the mounting surface.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the mounting interface comprises a mounting angle, and wherein securing the mounting interface to the frame of the framed image comprises engaging the mounting angle with the frame.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising positioning a location feature of the mounting interface relative to a mark on the frame of the framed image, thereby positioning the mounting interface relative to the frame.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a receptacle defining a void for receiving at least a portion of the mounting interface.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the receptacle includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending therefrom, thereby forming the void such that engaging the mounting interface with the mounting bracket comprises sliding the mounting interface downward into the void.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: positioning and orienting the mounting plate on the mounting surface; and bonding the mounting plate to the mounting surface, thereby securing the mounting plate to the mounting surface, wherein the mounting plate further comprises: a bonding surface that is configured to bond to the mounting surface, thereby securing the mounting plate to the mounting surface; and a plurality of standoffs, an aft surface of each standoff being positioned aft of the bonding surface of the mounting plate, thereby facilitating positioning and orienting the mounting plate on the mounting surface, wherein each standoff is configured to move relative to the bonding surface upon the mounting plate being positioned and oriented, thereby facilitating bonding the mounting plate to the mounting surface.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein positioning the mounting plate on the mounting surface comprises positioning a location feature of the mounting plate relative to a mark on the mounting surface.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising engaging a retaining nut to a threaded mid-section of the retaining nut.

19. A framed image having a mounting device for mounting the framed image to a mounting surface, the mounting device comprising: a mounting interface secured to a frame of the framed image; a mounting plate that is configured to be secured to the mounting surface, thereby moving said mounting bracket to an installed configuration; and a mounting bracket that is configured to be secured to the mounting plate when the mounting plate is in its installed configuration, thereby moving said mounting bracket to an installed configuration, wherein said mounting interface is configured to engage with said mounting bracket when said mounting bracket is in its installed configuration, thereby mounting the framed image to the mounting surface.

20. The framed image of claim 19, wherein said mounting bracket comprises a receptacle defining a void for receiving at least a portion of said mounting interface, wherein said receptacle includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending therefrom, thereby forming said void.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying figures are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification for the present invention and further illustrate the present invention. The figures represent embodiments of the present invention. They do not represent all embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the mounting device of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the mounting device of the present invention.

[0015] FIGS. 3a and 3b are a front view and a side view of an embodiment of a mounting plate for the mounting device of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of an embodiment of a mounting plate for the mounting device of the present invention.

[0017] FIGS. 5a to 5f show a top view, a front view, a side view, a back view, a back perspective view, and a front perspective view of an embodiment of a mounting bracket for the mounting device of the present invention.

[0018] FIGS. 6a to 6e show a bottom view, a front view, a side view, a top view, and a back view of an embodiment of a mounting interface for the mounting device of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the back of a framed image showing an edge or lip formed by the frame and a mounting interface being affixed to the top back edge of the frame of the framed image.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the back of a framed image showing an edge or lip formed by the frame and a mounting interface affixed at the center of the top back edge of the frame of the framed image.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the back of a framed image showing an edge or lip formed by the frame, a mounting interface affixed at the center of the top back edge of the frame of the framed image, and the mounting bracket for receiving the mounting interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0022] The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed drawings and description set forth herein. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the drawings. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to the drawings is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond the limited embodiments described. For example, in light of the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, numerous modifications and variations of the invention may exist that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

[0023] The present invention should not be limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. The terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to an element is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to a step or a means may be a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means.

[0024] All conjunctions used herein are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, a group of items linked with the conjunction and should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as and/or unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction or should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as and/or unless expressly stated otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so defined herein.

[0026] Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term including should be read to mean including, without limitation, including but not limited to, or the like; the term having should be interpreted as having at least; the term includes should be interpreted as includes but is not limited to; the term example is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and use of terms like preferably, preferred, desired, desirable, or exemplary and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number for a claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases at least one and one or more to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply a claim recitation by the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing such claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an (e.g., a and an should typically be interpreted to mean at least one or one or more); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of claim recitations is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of two recitations, without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, and C is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., a system having at least one of A, B, and C would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

[0028] All numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about unless expressly stated otherwise. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained.

[0029] Throughout this disclosure, examples will be provided for using the mounting device and method disclosed. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate additional applications for the mounting device and method. Uses of the present invention may relate to, for example, mounting one or more prints, pictures, photographs, collages, wall art, artwork, or other images on a wall or other vertical surface.

[0030] To illustrate embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the mounting device 100 for mounting a framed image, such as a canvas image, on a wall or other mounting surface. In the exploded view of this embodiment presented in FIG. 2, the mounting device 100 comprises a mounting plate 101 and a mounting bracket 102 that can be coupled and uncoupled. The mounting plate 101 has a mid-section 103 onto which the mounting bracket 102 fits. The mid-section 103 of the mounting plate 101 is threaded to receive a retaining nut 104 for coupling and securing the mounting bracket 102 onto the mounting plate 101. In this embodiment, a rubber gasket 105 is placed between the mounting plate 101 and the mounting bracket 102 to create friction and prevent the mounting bracket 102 from rotating or moving on the mounting plate 101 accidentally or inadvertently once secured by the retaining nut 104. The top section of the mounting bracket 102 forms a receptacle 106 that is engineered to receive the mounting interface 107 that is affixed to the back of a framed image. The mounting interface 107 is removably affixed to the framed image on the back and at the top of the framed image as shown in FIG. 7.

[0031] In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the center of the mounting plate 101 has a bulls-eye like opening 108 with targeting guides 109 that allow the mounting plate 101 to be centered over a predetermined mark on a wall or other mounting surface. The use of the targeting guides 109 within the bulls-eye like opening 108 allows for the opening to be larger making it easier to locate the predetermined mark on the wall and to aide in placing the center of the mounting plate 101 over the predetermined mark. In a preferred embodiment, the targeting guides 109 are arrow shaped pointing to the center of the mounting device, but the targeting guides 109 may take other shapes that identify the center of the mounting plate 101.

[0032] In the embodiment of the mounting plate 101 depicted in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the mounting plate 103 is removably affixed to a wall or other mounting surface by adhesive means. The embodiment also allows for the use of fasteners 110 such as nails or screws that are placed through openings 111 in the mounting plate 101 and into the mounting surface. A fastener may also be placed into the mounting surface through the bulls-eye like opening 108. The use of fasteners reinforces the attachment of the mounting plate 101 to the mounting surface and increases the weight of the framed image that can be supported by the mounting device 100.

[0033] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a rubber gasket 105 is placed between the mounting plate 101 and the mounting bracket 102 to prevent the mounting bracket 102 from rotating accidentally or inadvertently around the mid-section 103 of the mounting plate 101 after being coupled to the mounting plate 101 and secured using the retaining nut 104. Other tactile materials, such as plastic, cloth or metal, may be used to create friction between the mounting plate 101 and the mounting bracket 102 to prevent movement. Friction to prevent movement of the mounting plate 102 may also be created using known mechanical means.

[0034] In other embodiments of the present invention, the mounting plate 101 and the mounting bracket 102 are fixedly coupled together to form as single component. In such embodiment, the mounting bracket 102 cannot rotate or move on the mounting plate 101 and thus there is no need for a frictional means 105 to prevent movement.

[0035] FIGS. 5a to 5f show an embodiment of the mounting bracket 102 of the present invention and the receptacle 106 formed at the top of the mounting bracket 102. In this embodiment, the mounting bracket 102 includes a vial level 112 for leveling the mounting bracket 102 as it is secured onto the mounting plate 101. Other known means for leveling the mounting bracket 102 may also be used.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle 106 as shown in FIGS. 5a to 5f, is engineered to receive, and create a mechanical connection with, the mounting interface 107.

[0037] In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mounting interface 107 is removably affixed to the frame 115 of the framed image 116 using known adhesives or mechanical means, such as fasteners. The mounting interface 107 is affixed at the back of the framed image 116 at the top of the frame 115 and on the edge or lip 118 formed by the underside of the frame 115. The mounting interface 107 is affixed at the center 119 of the frame 115 from left 120 to right 121. In the embodiment presented in FIGS. 6a to 6e, the mounting interface 107 has a bulls-eye like opening 113 and/or a notch 114 at the center for ease in locating the mounting interface 107 at the center 119 of the frame 115.

[0038] FIG. 8 shows the mounting interface 107 removably affixed to the top back edge 118 of the frame 115 of the image 116. The mounting interface 107 is affixed at the center 119 of the frame 115 from left 120 to right 121. The mounting interface 107 has a notch 114 at the center for ease in locating the mounting interface 107 at the center 119 of the frame 115.

[0039] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the present invention with the mounting interface 107 removably affixed at the center 119 of the top back edge 118 of the frame 115 of the image 116 and also shows the back of the mounting bracket 102 and the receptacle 106 into which the mounting interface 107 is placed when mounting the framed image 116 onto a wall or other surface.

[0040] The embodiment in FIG. 9 also shows a plurality of standoffs 120 at the back of the mounting plate 101. In an embodiment that utilizes the adhesive to removably affix the mounting plate 101 to a mounting surface, the standoffs 120 prevent adhesion until the mounting plate 101 is properly oriented on the mounting surface and the mounting plate 101 is pressed onto to the mounting surface, causing the standoffs 120 to recede, flex, and/or breakaway. In embodiments where the mounting plate 101 and the mounting bracket 102 are fixedly coupled together, standoffs 120 may be used to level the mounting device 100 before removably affixing it to the mounting surface.

[0041] The mounting device 100 of the present invention allows a framed image to be mounted flush to the mounting surface. The terms flush or flush to the mounting surface as used herein means that all backside surfaces of the frame for the framed image are parallel to and touching or nearly touching the mounting surface. When using the mounting device 100 of the present invention, a framed image will be level and secure on the mounting device 100 when the mounting bracket 102 is level on the mounting surface and the interface 107 is placed into the receptacle 106 on the mounting bracket 102.

[0042] The mounting device 100 of the present invention can be used to mount any framed image, including canvas images, paintings, artwork, prints, photographs, wall hangings, or other images that have a lip or edge 118 on the back, top of the framed image 116 onto which the mount interface 107 may be affixed.