U.S. patent application number 16/062916 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-03 for mounting block and use.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY. Invention is credited to Christina D. Cowman-Eggert, Thomas W. Floyd, Judd D. Olson.
Application Number | 20190000245 16/062916 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59089752 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190000245 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Floyd; Thomas W. ; et
al. |
January 3, 2019 |
MOUNTING BLOCK AND USE
Abstract
Mounting blocks comprising a body having first and second
mounting faces and first and second hanging faces wherein the first
mounting face and first hanging face are opposing faces on the body
and the second mounting face and second hanging face are opposing
faces on the body, wherein: the first and second mounting faces are
each adapted to be mounted to a mounting surface; the first and
second hanging faces are each adapted to retain a decorative
article. Also, collages of two or more decorative articles mounted
on a mounting surface with such mounting blocks
Inventors: |
Floyd; Thomas W.; (Saint
Paul, MN) ; Cowman-Eggert; Christina D.; (Inver Grove
Heights, MN) ; Olson; Judd D.; (Deephaven,
MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY |
St Paul |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES
COMPANY
|
Family ID: |
59089752 |
Appl. No.: |
16/062916 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
December 16, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2016/067279 |
371 Date: |
June 15, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62270303 |
Dec 21, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 1/1633 20130101;
A47G 1/065 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 1/06 20060101
A47G001/06; A47G 1/16 20060101 A47G001/16 |
Claims
1. A mounting block comprising a body having first and second
mounting faces and first and second hanging faces wherein the first
mounting face and first hanging face are opposing faces on the body
and separated by a distance D.sub.1 and the second mounting face
and second hanging face are opposing faces on the body and
separated by a distance D.sub.2, wherein: the first and second
mounting faces are each adapted to be mounted to a mounting
surface; the first and second hanging faces are each adapted to
retain a decorative article; and distance D.sub.1 and distance
D.sub.2 may be the same or different.
2. The mounting block of claim 1 where the first mounting face and
second mounting face are orthogonal to one another.
3. The mounting block of claim 1 wherein the first mounting face
and first hanging face are parallel to one another and the second
mounting face and second hanging face are parallel to one
another.
4. The mounting block of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first
mounting face and the second mounting face is substantially
planar.
5. The mounting block of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first
mounting face and the second mounting face is adapted for an
adhesive to bond thereto.
6. The mounting block of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first
hanging face and the second hanging face is generally planar.
7. The mounting block of claim 1 wherein the body is rectangular
prism in shape.
8. The mounting block of claim 1 wherein distance D.sub.1 is from
about 0.5 to about 2 inches (1.2 to 5 cm), and distance D.sub.2 is
from about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches (1.2 to 3.7 cm) greater than
distance D.sub.1.
9. The mounting block of claim 1 wherein distance D.sub.1 is about
1 inch (2.5 cm) and distance D.sub.2 is about 1.5 inches (3.7
cm).
10. The mounting block of claim 1 wherein the body also has a third
mounting face and a third hanging face on opposing faces of the
body separated by a distance D.sub.3.
11. The mounting block of claim 10 wherein distance D.sub.1 and
distance D.sub.3 may be the same or different.
12. The mounting block of claim 10 wherein the first mounting face,
second mounting face, and third mounting face are mutually
orthogonal to one another.
13. The mounting block of claim 10 wherein the first mounting face
and first hanging face are parallel to one another, the second
mounting face and second hanging face are parallel to one another,
and the third mounting face and third hanging face are parallel to
one another.
14. The mounting block of claim 1 mounted on a mounting surface
selected from the group consisting of walls, partitions, furniture
cabinets and panels, easel boards, doors, windows, and
shelving.
15. The mounting block of claim 14 wherein the mounting block is
oriented on the mounting surface such that its longest dimension is
substantially vertical.
16. The mounting block of claim 1 retaining a decorative article
selected from the group consisting of pictures, picture frames,
document frames, posters, sculptures, clocks, and signs.
17-18. (canceled)
19. A collage comprising first and second decorative articles
retained on a mounting surface wherein at least one of the
decorative articles is retained on the mounting surface by a
mounting block of claim 1.
20. (canceled)
21. The collage of claim 19 wherein: the first decorative article
is retained on the mounting surface by a first mounting block of
claim 1 such that the first decorative article is retained on the
first hanging face of the first mounting block and the first
mounting face of the first mounting block is mounted on the
mounting surface at a distance Di from the mounting surface; and
the second decorative article is retained on the mounting surface
by a second mounting block of claim 1 such that the second
decorative article is retained on the second hanging face of the
second mounting block and the second mounting face of the second
mounting block is mounted on the mounting surface at a distance
D.sub.2 from the mounting surface.
22. The collage of claim 21 wherein D.sub.1 is greater than
D.sub.2, and wherein a portion of the first decorative article is
in front of and overlapping a portion of the second decorative
article.
23. (canceled)
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to mounting blocks for
mounting or hanging articles (e.g., pictures, posters, etc.) at
selected depth from a mounting surface (e.g., a wall).
BACKGROUND
[0002] A variety of apparatuses and techniques are known for
mounting pictures and other decorative articles on walls and other
mounting surfaces. Illustrative examples include adhesive apparatus
(e.g., 3M.TM. Command.TM. Hooks), nails, screws, brackets, etc.
[0003] The need exists for additional apparatuses and ways for
easily mounting decorative articles on mounting surfaces in desired
arrangement.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention provides novel mounting blocks that
enable easily hanging common picture frames and other decorative
articles on walls and other mounting surfaces as desired. Mounting
blocks of the invention can be conveniently used to form arrays of
two or more decorative articles mounted at varying depths from the
mounting surface, facilitating the creation of collages of
decorative articles in a variety of desired configurations.
[0005] Briefly summarizing, a mounting block of the invention
comprises a body having first and second mounting faces and first
and second hanging faces. The first mounting face and first hanging
face are opposing faces on the body and separated by a distance
D.sub.1 and the second mounting face and second hanging face are
opposing faces on the body and separated by a distance D.sub.2. The
first and second mounting faces are each adapted to be mounted to a
mounting surface and the first and second hanging faces are each
adapted to retain a decorative article. Distance D.sub.1 and
distance D.sub.2 may be the same or different.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The invention is further explained with reference to the
drawing wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is perspective view of the body of an illustrative
mounting block of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first retaining face of the
mounting block shown in FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the second retaining face of the
mounting block shown in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the top of the mounting block shown
in FIG. 1; and
[0011] FIGS. 5A-5C are plan views of illustrative collage
arrangements of decorative articles.
[0012] These figures are not to scale and are intended to be merely
illustrative and not limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0013] The present invention facilitates hanging decorative
articles on walls and other mounting surfaces.
[0014] As described above, a mounting block of the invention
comprises a body having first and second mounting faces and first
and second hanging faces. The first mounting face and first hanging
face are opposing faces on the body and separated by a distance
D.sub.1 and the second mounting face and second hanging face are
opposing faces on the body and separated by a distance D.sub.2. The
first and second mounting faces are each adapted to be mounted to a
mounting surface and the first and second hanging faces are each
adapted to retain a decorative article. Distance D.sub.1 and
distance D.sub.2 may be the same or different.
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an illustrative
mounting block of the invention wherein mounting block 10 comprises
body 12 having first mounting face 14, second mounting face 20,
first hanging face 18, and second hanging face 16. First mounting
face 14 and first hanging face 18 are opposing faces on the body 12
and separated by a distance D.sub.1; second mounting face 20 and
second hanging face 16 are opposing faces on body 10 and separated
by a distance D.sub.2. Finally, body 12 includes ends 22 and 24. In
some embodiments, ends 22 and 24 may be adapted to serve as a third
mounting face and third hanging face.
Mounting Faces
[0016] The first and second mounting faces are each adapted to be
mounted to a mounting surface. In some embodiments where distance
D.sub.1 and distance D.sub.2 are the same, the first mounting face
and second mounting face may be adapted differently from one
another to optimize mounting of the mounting block to different
mounting surfaces or via different means, or the first mounting
face and second mounting face may be similarly adapted.
[0017] In some embodiments, at least one of the first mounting face
and second mounting face is substantially planar and substantially
continuous over a desired zone to permit reliably bonding with
adhesive (e.g., of a hook and loop fastener, stretch release
mounting tape such as a 3M.TM. Command.TM. Hanging Strip, etc.).
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,572,945 and 6,972,141 (both Bries et al.) disclose
removable adhesive tape laminates that could be used to mount a
mounting block of the invention to a desired mounting surface.
[0018] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,572,945 and 6,972,141 (both Bries et al.)
disclose removable adhesive tape laminates that could be used to
mount a mounting block of the invention to a mounting surface. In
some embodiments distance D.sub.1 and distance D.sub.2 are the
same. In other embodiments, distance D.sub.1 and distance D.sub.2
are different. One benefit of such embodiments is that a mounting
block of the invention can be used to retain a decorative article
at desired position from a mounting surface. Those skilled in the
art will be able fashion mounting blocks of appropriate
dimension.
[0019] As will be understood, many known techniques may be used to
mount mounting blocks of the invention on a mounting surface. In
addition to adhesive laminates such as described above,
illustrative examples such ubiquitous mechanical fasteners as
nails, pegs, and screws, etc.
Hanging Faces
[0020] The first and second hanging faces are each adapted to
retain a decorative article. The precise manner of how the hanging
faces are so adapted may be readily selected by those skilled in
the art and will be dependent in part upon the nature of the
decorative article(s) with which the mounting block is intended to
be used. As will be understood, the selected adaptation of the
hanging face must be compatible with the decorative article (e.g.,
a hook or stud on the hanging face will typically be suitable for
use with a decorative article equipped with a wire for
hanging).
[0021] Illustrative features for retaining decorative article
include a protruding element that engages with a suitable feature
of the decorative article. Illustrative examples of protruding
elements include a peg (e.g., straight or one with a larger
radiused head at the end to engage more securely with feature(s) of
the decorative article), stud, hook, nail, rod, screw, etc. that
projects outwardly from the hanging face. Corresponding
illustrative examples of suitable features on the decorative
article include wire, openings (e.g., keyhole, round hole, oval
slot, etc.), sawtooth hangers, D-rings (sometimes in form of
"hanging triangle"), etc. As will be understood, in some instances
such protruding elements may be incorporated on the decorative
article with corresponding features incorporated on the hanging
face of the mounting block. U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,734 (Hamerski)
discloses elongate peg constructions that could be used on mounting
blocks of the invention if desired.
[0022] In some embodiments the protruding elements may be fixed
(e.g., integrally formed in the body of the mounting block) or may
be removable such that they can be removed and discarded if not
needed or repositioned to a different location on the hanging face.
For example, a mounting block with a protruding peg located in the
middle of the hanging face may be hidden behind a decorative
article having a wire hanging element but be undesirably visible if
used with a decorative article equipped with a sawtooth back on its
upper back portion. In the latter instance, it may be preferred for
the protruding element to be located near the top portion of the
hanging face of the mounting block as mounted on the surface so
that the mounting block is more effectively hidden.
[0023] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,572,945 and 6,972,141 (both Bries et al.)
disclose removable adhesive tape laminates that could be used to
retain a decorative article on the hanging face of a mounting block
of the invention.
[0024] The first and second hanging faces are each adapted to
retain a decorative article, preferably releasably. In some
embodiments where distance D.sub.1 and distance D.sub.2 are the
same, the first hanging face and second hanging face may be adapted
differently from one another to optimize retaining different
decorative articles, or retaining decorative articles via different
means, or the first hanging face and second hanging face may be
similarly adapted. As mentioned above, in some embodiments the ends
of the body may be adapted as a third mounting face and third
hanging face, separated by distance D.sub.3.
[0025] In many embodiments, the body of the mounting block will be
rectangular prism in shape. Typically, the first mounting face and
second mounting face are orthogonal to one another, and in
embodiments having three mounting faces, the first mounting face,
second mounting face, and third mounting face are mutually
orthogonal to one another.
[0026] Typically the first mounting face and first hanging face are
parallel to one another and the second mounting face and second
hanging face are parallel to one another, and in embodiments having
three mounting faces and three hanging faces, the first mounting
face and first hanging face are parallel to one another, the second
mounting face and second hanging face are parallel to one another,
and the third mounting face and third hanging face are parallel to
one another.
[0027] Typically, at least one of the mounting faces is generally
planar so as to mount closely to a generally flat mounting
surface.
[0028] In many typical household or office applications, distance
D.sub.1 will be in the range of 0.5 to 2 inches (1.2 to 5 cm), and
distance D.sub.2 will be from about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches (1.2 to
3.7 cm) greater than distance D.sub.1. In one example, distance
D.sub.1 is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) and distance D.sub.2 is about 1.5
inches (3.7 cm). In embodiments having third mounting face and
third hanging face, distance D.sub.3 may be selected as the same as
distance D1 or D2, smaller than both, larger than both, or
intermediate to the two as desired.
Uses
[0029] Typically, mounting blocks of the invention are used on
mounting surfaces which have a generally upright or vertical
orientation. Illustrative examples of mounting surfaces on which
mounting blocks of the invention may be used include walls, room
dividers or partitions, furniture cabinets and panels, easel
boards, doors, windows, shelving, and the like. In some instances,
the mounting block will be oriented such that its longest dimension
runs substantially vertically on the mounting surface so that the
body may support the decorative article more firmly.
[0030] Illustrative examples of decorative articles which can be
mounted with mounting blocks of the invention include drawings,
paintings, photographs, documents, certificates, posters, plates,
sculptures, clocks, signs, and the like. In some instances, the
decorative article may be framed; in other instances, the
decorative article may be unframed.
[0031] In common applications, two or more decorative articles are
mounted on a mounting surface within proximity to one another so as
to be simultaneously visible from a viewing location. The term
"collage" is used herein to refer to a grouping of two or more
decorative articles which are separately mounted on the surface but
within sufficient proximity to one another to be simultaneously
visible so as to present a coherent collective impression when
viewed from a viewing location, such as at a distance from a wall
(e.g., standing in the middle of a room, seated within a room,
etc.) and looking at a group of photographs or other decorative
articles on the wall in substantially plan perspective. An
advantage of the present invention is that it facilitates mounting
different decorative articles within a collage at different
relative distances from the mounting surface (e.g., a wall) so as
to impart desired visual emphasis and to permit positioning of
decorative articles relative to one another such that some are in
relatively foreground or front position and occlude or overlap with
adjacent decorative articles.
[0032] In applications with relatively wide decorative articles, it
may be desired to use two or more mounting blocks of the invention,
typically arranged horizontally across the decorative article
(e.g., behind the top corners of a decorative article), with the
mounting blocks collectively supporting the weight of the
decorative article. In some applications, two or more mounting
blocks of the invention may be mounted at varying heights on a
mounting surface to support a single decorative article, with one
or more serving in load bearing manner (i.e., supporting the weight
of the decorative article in the vertical dimension) and one or
more serving merely to support posture of the decorative article
relative to the mounting surface (i.e., referred to herein as a
footing) without supporting the weight of the decorative article in
the vertical dimension.
[0033] FIGS. 5A-5C show illustrative collage arrangements of a
plurality of picture frames which may be mounted on a mounting
surface such as a wall using mounting blocks of the invention.
[0034] In FIG. 5A, collage 100 is made up of five decorative
articles 110, 112, 114, 116, and 118 wherein decorative article 112
is mounted so as to be in front of and overlapping decorative
articles 110 and 114. Each decorative article is hung on a mounting
block of the invention (not shown), with the distance between the
hanging face and mounting face of the mounting block supporting
article 112 being greater than the corresponding distances of the
mounting blocks supporting decorative articles 110 and 114.
Similarly, decorative article 116 is mounted so as to be in front
of and overlapping articles 114 and 118. Decorative articles 110,
114, and 118 may be at substantially equal distances or depths from
the mounting surface or at different depths. Decorative articles
112 and 116 may be mounted at substantially equal distances or
depths from the mounting surface or at different depths as
desired.
[0035] FIG. 5B shows another illustrative collage where decorative
article is 212 mounted so as to be in front of and overlapping
articles 210 and 214. Similarly, article 216 is mounted in front of
and overlapping articles 214 and 218.
[0036] FIG. 5C shows another illustrative collage 300 where none of
decorative articles 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, and 320 is mounted so
as to overlap one another. In accordance with the invention, the
decorative articles may be mounted at substantially equal distances
or depths from the mounting surface or at different depths as
desired.
[0037] Although the present invention has been fully described in
connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to
the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes
and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such
changes and modifications are to be understood as included within
the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended
claims unless they depart therefrom.
[0038] The complete disclosure of all patents, patent documents,
and publications cited herein are incorporated by reference. The
foregoing detailed description and examples have been given for
clarity of understanding only. No unnecessary limitations are to be
understood therefrom. The invention is not limited to the exact
details shown and described, for variations obvious to one skilled
in the art will be included within the invention defined by the
claims.
* * * * *