U.S. patent application number 14/158386 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-21 for picture display.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jeffrey A Svihilik. Invention is credited to Jeffrey A Svihilik.
Application Number | 20140231611 14/158386 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51350499 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140231611 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Svihilik; Jeffrey A |
August 21, 2014 |
PICTURE DISPLAY
Abstract
A picture hanging system includes a picture joined to the front
side of a backing by a spacer, wherein the spacer spaces the
picture from the backing. A hanger is joined to the back side of
the backing to mount the backing to a wall. The hanger includes an
anchor portion which is joined to the backing and an array portion
which includes a plurality of apertures. The apertures are circular
and positioned in an offset array.
Inventors: |
Svihilik; Jeffrey A; (Crown
Point, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Svihilik; Jeffrey A |
Crown Point |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51350499 |
Appl. No.: |
14/158386 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61767417 |
Feb 21, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/476 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 1/0638 20130101;
A47G 1/202 20130101; A47G 1/065 20130101; A47G 1/20 20130101; A47G
1/1606 20130101; A47G 1/162 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/476 |
International
Class: |
A47G 1/17 20060101
A47G001/17; A47G 1/20 20060101 A47G001/20 |
Claims
1. A picture hanging system comprising: a hanger, said hanger
comprising: an anchor portion; an offset portion; an array plate
having a plurality of circular apertures aligned in a plurality of
nested lines; said anchor portion spaced from said array portion by
said offset portion; a picture display, said picture display
comprising: a backing; a spacer; and a picture; said anchor portion
of said hanger mounted to said backing, said picture mounted to
said spacer, said spacer mounted to said backing
2. The picture hanging system of claim 1, wherein said array
portion is cantilevered relative said anchor portion by said offset
portion.
3. The picture hanging system of claim 1, wherein said array
portion is mounted between a pair of said offset portions.
4. A picture hanger system comprising: a planar member having a
front side and a back side; a picture is printed on said front side
of said planar member; a hanger includes an array portion and an
anchor portion, said anchor portion is adhered to said back side of
said planar member, said anchor portion is joined to said array
portion by said offset portion; said offset portion is joined to
both said array portion and said anchor portion and offsets said
array portion from said planar member; said array portion includes
a plurality of apertures arrayed in a series of vertical lines
wherein a diameter of an aperture in a first vertical line is
oriented to intersect a tangent of an aperture in an adjacent
vertical line; said array portion includes an auxiliary aperture
which is partially defined by a sawtooth picture hanger.
5. The picture hanging system of claim 4, wherein said array
portion is cantilevered relative said anchor portion by said offset
portion.
6. The picture hanging system of claim 4, wherein said array
portion is mounted between a pair of said offset portions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Patent Application No. 61/767,417, filed on
Feb. 21, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Art is displayed in a number of ways, such as in picture
frames. Picture frames are traditionally characterized by a
decorative perimeter which frames the art, and a piece of glass
protecting the art. Such traditional frames are both decorative and
protective--they serve to protect the fragile paper or canvas on
which the art resides while also providing a decorative border to
the art. The downside of such displays is that such frames are
often bulky, which when combined with a mat or other border, add
significantly to the area required to hang the picture. Further,
such traditional displays are costly, including the price of the
frame, glass, mat and other elements.
[0003] Typical art displays are attached to a wall using a hanger,
such as an eyelet or wire which is hung from a hook on the wall.
Such hangers have drawbacks, such as the difficulty of providing
precise positioning of the art display on the wall. For example, if
many pieces of art are to be displayed on the wall along a
horizontal line, it is difficult to line all of the pictures up
since exacting measurements must be taken in order to ensure proper
alignment of the collection of pieces of art.
[0004] As such, an improved picture display system is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention relates to a picture display having a backing
which supports one or more pictures. The pictures are preferably
mounted to the backing in a way that offsets the pictures from the
backing, providing a layered, or elevated appearance to the picture
display. A hanger mounts the backing to a wall, wherein the anchor
includes a portion having an array of apertures. The array of
apertures are configured such that for a given placement of a
fastener on a wall, the picture display may be mounted at a
preferred horizontal or vertical position by selecting a desired
aperture. In the preferred embodiment, the pictures are printed
directly to metal, such as aluminum, and the backing is made from
the same material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] A preferred embodiment of this invention has been chosen
wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front view of a picture display;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a left end view of the picture display of FIG.
1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a right end view of the picture display of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the picture display of FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a picture display having an
alternative hanger;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional top view taken along line 6-6 of
the picture display of FIG. 5;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a front view of the hanger of FIG. 5;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional top view taken along line 8-8 of
the hanger of FIG. 7;
[0015] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the picture display of FIG.
5;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a top view of an alternative hanger;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a back view of the alternative hanger of FIG.
10;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a side view of a hook which is used in
combination with the hanger of FIG. 10;
[0019] FIG. 13 is an exploded view showing the hook of FIG. 12
embedded in a wall and the hanger of FIG. 10;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a back view of the hangar of FIG. 10 as joined to
a piece of art;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a side view showing the first step of hanging a
picture using the hanger of FIG. 10; and
[0022] FIG. 16 is a side view showing the second step of hanging a
picture using the hanger of FIG. 10.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 1, a picture display 10 is provided
which includes a backing 12 which serves as a decorative support
surface for displaying one or more pictures 14. The backing 12 is a
planar sheet, preferably formed from a rigid material that can
accept a printed pattern, design or picture, such as metal,
preferably aluminum. The backing 12 includes a front side 16 and a
back side 18, wherein the front side 16 optionally includes a
decorative design, such as the argyle design illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0024] The pictures 14 are attached to the front side 16 of the
backing 12. The pictures 14 are each a planar sheet, preferably
formed from a rigid material that can accept a printed pattern,
design or picture, such as metal, preferably aluminum. The pictures
14 are preferably not encased in glass as is typically the case in
standard frames. Further, the pictures 14 are preferably not
surrounded by a separate frame. Instead, the pictures 14 are
mounted to the backing 12. In one embodiment, the pictures 14 are
mounted directly to the backing 12 by an adhesive or glue. In the
preferred embodiment, a spacer 20 is positioned between the backing
12 and the picture 14, such that a three dimensional elevated
effect is achieved. The spacer 20 is a planar sheet having a
thickness which provides a desired offset of the picture 14 from
the backing 12. Foam board or corrugated board can serve as a
suitable spacer 20. The spacer 20 is sandwiched between the backing
12 and the picture 14, the spacer 20 being secured to both the
backing 12 and the picture 14, such as by adhesive. The spacer 20
preferably has a smaller footprint than the picture 14, such that
the edges of the picture 14 overlie the spacer 20.
[0025] Either a single picture 14, or multiple pictures 14, as
shown in FIG. 1, are displayed on the backing 12. Due to the planar
nature of backing 12, the pictures 14 may be positioned in a
desired location and orientation on backing 12. The framing (the
perimeter white space shown in FIG. 1) around each picture 14 shown
illustrates an optional decorative border 22 printed as part of
picture 14.
[0026] A hanger 24 is a bracket used to hang the backing 12 on a
surface, such as on a wall. The hanger 24 is formed having an
anchor portion 26 which is a planar portion of the hanger 24 which
is attached to the backing 12, such as by an adhesive. An offset
potion 28 is joined to the anchor portion 26 and extends away from
the backing 12. An array portion 30 is joined to the offset portion
28 and is preferably parallel with the anchor portion 26. The array
portion 30, as shown in FIG. 2, is cantilevered. Preferably, the
hanger 24 is formed from a single sheet of material, such as
aluminum, which is bent along a line defined by the intersection
between the anchor portion 26 and the offset portion 28 and also is
bent along another line defined by the intersection between the
offset portion 28 and the array portion 30. The offset potion 28 is
designed to space the array portion 30 from the backing 12 to
provide room for the head of a fastener 32 (see FIG. 6).
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 7, the array portion 30 includes a
plurality of apertures 34. The apertures 34 are circular holes
formed through the hanger 24, and positioned in a packed pattern
such that the apertures 34 are oriented in a series of vertical
lines, with adjacent lines offset vertically from one another such
that the surface area between the apertures 34 is minimized. An
aperture in a first vertical line has a horizontal diameter which
is positioned roughly even horizontally with a point tangential to
the edge of an aperture in a vertical line adjacent to the first
vertical line. As such, the apertures are positioned in vertical
lines which alternate in offset arrangement to provide a
packed-design.
[0028] The array portion 30 and associated apertures 34 provide an
improved picture hanging system. Typically, picture frames include
a wire or one or more eyelets from which the picture frame hangs.
These traditional hanging elements lack versatility in spatial
positioning of the picture; once a nail has been placed in the
wall, the picture will only hang level at a single horizontal and
vertical position. The array portion 30 and associated aperture 34
allow for variable horizontal and vertical placement of the picture
display 10--the fastener 32 may be positioned in any of apertures
34 such that the desired horizontal and vertical position of the
picture display 10 is achieved. This feature of the array portion
30 is particularly useful where multiple picture displays 10 are
located adjacent one another on a wall, such that the fasteners 32
need not be perfectly aligned to have the adjacent picture displays
10 aligned on the wall.
[0029] The apertures 34 are preferably circular in shape. The
circular shape of the apertures 34 compliments the circular shape
of the fasteners 32.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, an alternative embodiment of a
hanger 36 is shown where the hanger 36 includes an anchor portion
38, an offset portion 40 and an array portion 42. The anchor
portion 38 is formed generally parallel with the backing 12, and
joined thereto by a fastener, such as adhesive. The offset portion
40 extends generally perpendicularly between the anchor portion 38
and the array portion 42. In this embodiment, the hanger 36
includes a pair of anchor portions 38 with the array portion 42
spanning a pair of offset portions 40.
[0031] As shown, the first anchor portion 38 is joined at a
vertical bend to a first offset portion 40, wherein the first
anchor portion 38 and the first offset portion 40 are perpendicular
to each other. The first offset portion 40 is joined at a vertical
bend to a first end of the array portion 42, wherein the first
offset portion 40 and the array portion 42 are perpendicular to
each other. The second anchor portion 38' is joined at a vertical
bend to a second offset portion 40', wherein the second anchor
portion 38' and the second offset portion 40' are perpendicular to
each other. The second offset portion 40' is joined at a vertical
bend to a second end of the array portion 42, wherein the second
offset portion 40' and the array portion 42 are perpendicular to
each other. In this way, the array portion 42 is parallel with both
the first anchor portion 38 and the second anchor portion 38' and
the first offset portion 40 is parallel with the second offset
portion 40'. The first and second offset portions 40, 40' provide
clearance between the array portion and the anchor portions 38, 38'
to allow room for the fastener to extend from the wall and into the
space between the array portion 42 and the backing 12.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 9, the hanger 36 is joined to the backing
by joining a first strip of adhesive 44 to the first anchor portion
38 and joining a second strip of adhesive 44' to the second anchor
portion 38'. Each adhesive strip 44, 44' is then adhered to the
rear side of the backing 12. A fastener is then secured in the
wall, and the fastener is then placed in one of the apertures 34 to
position the picture display 10 at a desired horizontal and
vertical position on the wall.
[0033] The apertures 34 are adapted for use with a fastener which
does not have a large head, such as a standard nail or screw, since
such fastener would not fit through the apertures 34. Instead, the
apertures 34 are adapted for use with a fastener which includes a
generally-constant cross-sectional area along the length of the
fastener (the cross-sectional area may narrow at a pointed tip, but
is otherwise the same along the length of the fastener). One
suitable fastener 46 for use with the apertures 34 is shown in FIG.
12. The fastener 46 is a length of wire which is bent into the
shape as shown. The fastener 46 includes a pointed end 48 which is
suitable for being used for burrowing a hole is a wall. The pointed
end 48 is the terminal end of a linear portion 50 of the fastener
46. The end of the linear portion 50 opposite the pointed end 48 is
joined to a curved portion 52, which curved portion in turn is
joined to an L-shaped portion 54. The L-shaped portion 54 includes
a terminal tip 56. The tip 56 is adapted for being positioned in
one of the apertures 34, wherein the aperture 34 will rest in the
bend of the L-shaped portion 54 when the hanger 36 is hung on the
fastener 46. FIG. 13 shows the fastener 46 as carried in a
wall.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 10, 11 and 13, a variation of the hanger
36 is shown which includes an auxiliary aperture 58 which includes
a sawtooth hanger 60. The sawtooth hanger 60 defines a portion of
the auxiliary aperture 58 and includes a series of peaks and
valleys along the length thereof. The sawtooth hanger 60 allows the
hanger 38 to either be used with the hanger 46 shown in FIG. 12, or
with a standard nail or screw or other picturing hanging fastener
which is too large to be mounted in one of apertures 34. In this
way, the hanger 36 shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 13 provides a
versatile hanging system suitable for use with most common
fasteners.
[0035] FIG. 14 shows the hanger 36 as mounted to a picture. While
the hanger 36 is preferably used with a flat metal picture, such as
shown in FIGS. 1-4, the hanger 36 is also suitable for use with a
standard frame and glass picture frame.
[0036] FIGS. 15 and 16 show the installation steps for the fastener
46. As shown in FIG. 15, a user forces the pointed tip 48 through
the wall. Once a hole is formed through the wall, the hanger 36 is
advanced into the void behind the wall until only the L-shaped
portion is showing. The pointed tip 48 will contact the inner
surface of the wall, thereby causing the fastener 46 to bend
somewhat, which will help to distribute the forces on the fastener
46 to the tip 48. Next, the fastener 46 is mounted in one of the
apertures 34 of the hanger 36, which hanger 36 is mounted to a
picture (shown in dotted line), thereby hanging the picture on the
wall.
* * * * *