U.S. patent number 3,911,516 [Application Number 05/489,051] was granted by the patent office on 1975-10-14 for method of forming a push pin article.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Coats & Clark, Inc.. Invention is credited to Ruediger Einhorn.
United States Patent |
3,911,516 |
Einhorn |
October 14, 1975 |
Method of forming a push pin article
Abstract
A base member of a push pin is formed by casting or molding, and
a pin is inserted pointed end first into a hole in the base member
and forced through the base member until the end opposite thereof
lies below the surface of the base member. The material of the base
member is then flowed over the end of the pin, by mechanical or
heat techniques, to form a substantially complete layer over the
end of the pin within the base member. The pins preferably extend
at an acute angle to a flat surface of the base member. The push
pin may have pins extending from opposite surfaces thereof, a loop
shaped projection adapted to be affixed to a wire, or a hinge
separating the base member into a hook portion and a portion
carrying one or more pins. The push pin may have a contoured base
member to facilitate the affixing of a picture wire to a hook
formed on the base member. In another embodiment the push pin has a
projection on the side thereof through which the pin extends, the
projection having a rounded contour adjacent the pin, a radially
outer surface, and an intermediate axially extending section
between the rounded surface and the radially outer portion. The
push pin may be formed with a pivoted lever, to serve as a wire
clamp. For picture hanging purposes, the push pin may include a
pair of pins extending from opposite sides of an elongated member
and through projections, the elongated member having a saw tooth
edge, with the planes of the saw tooth edge and the side of the
elongated member adjacent thereto extending at an angle
corresponding to portions of a nail extending at an angle in the
wall, in order to facilitate the hanging of a picture on the
wall.
Inventors: |
Einhorn; Ruediger (Katonah,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Coats & Clark, Inc. (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
23942212 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/489,051 |
Filed: |
July 16, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
470/7; 29/520;
248/497; 411/498; 29/450; 29/525; 264/249; 411/923 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21G
5/00 (20130101); Y10T 29/4987 (20150115); Y10T
29/49934 (20150115); Y10T 29/49945 (20150115); A63B
53/005 (20200801); Y10S 411/923 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B21G
5/00 (20060101); A63B 53/00 (20060101); B21G
005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;29/520,45X,525X
;85/1R,16X,28X ;248/466,497X ;10/156,161 ;264/249X |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
696,752 |
|
Oct 1964 |
|
CA |
|
291,654 |
|
Jun 1928 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Moon; Charlie T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Burgess Ryan and Wayne
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for producing an article of the type including a base
member having first and second opposite surfaces, and a pin
projecting from said second surface, comprising, forming said base
member with a substantially uniform diameter hole extending between
said first and second surfaces, inserting the sharpened end of a
pin in said hole from the end thereof at said first surface, said
pin having a sharpened end, a blunt end a shank portion between
said ends of substantially uniform diameter, said diameter slightly
exceeding the diameter of the hole, and pushing said pin into said
base member until said blunt end is positioned between said first
and second surfaces, and flowing the material of said base member
at said first surface surrounding said hole into said hole, whereby
the portion of said hole between the blunt end of said pin and said
second surface becomes substantially completely filled with the
material of said base member.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of forming said base
member comprises die casting said base member, and said step of
flowing comprises mechanically staking the material of said base
member at said first surface to flow into said hole at said first
surface.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of forming said base
member comprises molding said base member of a thermoplastic
material, and said step of flowing comprises heating the material
of said base member adjacent said blunt end of said pin.
4. A method for producing an article of the type including a base
member having first and second opposite surfaces, and a pin
projecting from said surface, comprising forming said base member
with a substantially uniform diameter hole extending between said
first and second surfaces and a projection from said first surface
surrounding said hole, inserting the sharpened end of a pin into
the end of said hole at said projection, said pin having a
sharpened end, a blunt end and a shank portion between said ends of
substantially uniform diameter, said diameter slightly exceeding
the diameter of said hole, and forcing said pin through said hole
until the blunt end lies within said base member below the end of
said hole at said projection, whereby the sharpened end of said pin
extends outwardly beyond said second surface, and then flowing the
material of said base member at said projection into said end of
said hole, whereby, following said step of flowing, the material of
said base member at said projection substantially completely fills
said end of said hole to form a substantially continuous layer of
said material covering said blunt end of said pin.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of forming comprises die
casting said base member of a die casting material, with said hole,
and said step of flowing comprises mechanically staking the
material of said base member at said projection.
6. The method of claim 5 in which said projection has the shape of
a frustum, wherein said step of staking comprises mechanically
forcing a staking tool against the end of said frustum, said
staking tool having a concave configuration, whereby said layer is
formed with a convex outer surface.
7. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of forming comprises
molding said base member of a thermoplastic material, and said step
of flowing comprises heat flowing the material of said base member
at said projection into said end of said hold.
Description
This invention relates to push pins, and more in particular to an
improved technique for the installation of a pin in a base member.
The invention is also directed to the provision of push pin
articles made in accordance with the method.
Push pin articles are frequently provided, of the type having a pin
with a sharpened end extending from a base member of the push pin.
It is desirable to form such push pins by a technique whereby, when
the pin is pushed by the finger of a user, there is no danger that
the pin may be forced through the pushing surface of the base
member and injure the user. When a push pin is manufactured by a
casting or molding technique, this result may be accomplished by
casting or molding the base member, depending upon the material of
the base member, around the pin so that a portion of the body of
the base member exists between the embedded end of the pin and the
pushing surface of the base member. If the embedded end of the pin
is blunt, there is little or no danger that the material of the
base member will be deformed, by pushing of the push pin, to force
the blunt end of the pin through the base member.
While the casting or molding technique above described produces a
satisfactory article, there are occasions when the difficulties
encountered in the technique undesirably increase the cost and
effort required for the production of the push pin articles. For
example, when the production of a push pin article is limited, the
dies for producing the article are necessarily complex. This is
especially true where more than one pin must be formed in the base
member. In addition, separate pin feeding devices must be provided
for each casting or molding apparatus when it is necessary to
produce articles of different sizes. The prior art techniques for
the insertion of a pin in a cast or molded base thereby have
limited the number of types and sizes of push pin articles that
were produced on a commercial basis.
In order to overcome the above problems, in accordance with the
invention the cast or molded base member is provided with a hole
extending therethrough. A pin is inserted in the hole, sharpened
end first, and is forced into the hole until its other, blunt end,
is just below the surface of the base member. The pin preferably
has a diameter greater than the diameter of the hole, so that the
pin is rigidly held in the base member. After insertion of the pin,
the material of the base member is flowed over, to form a
substantially complete layer of the material of the base member
over the blunt end of the pin. By this means, the material of the
base member flowed over the hole inhibits the movement of the blunt
end of the pin in the axial direction, whereby there is little or
no danger of injury to personnel in the use of the push pin
article. When this technique is employed in the production of the
push pin article, the dies for casting or molding the base member
can be as simply fabricated as possible, since there is no need to
consider the pin at this step of the process. A single feeding
apparatus may be employed for all types and sizes of cast or molded
articles, so that the expense of insertion of the pins in the base
members is greatly reduced.
When the base member is die cast, the hole may be integrally cast
into the base member, and the flowing of the metal of the base
member can be effected by a staking operation, such as by punching
the material of the base member surrounding the hole.
When the material of the base member is a thermoplastic material,
the flowing operation is preferably effected with the use of heat,
for example by employing a heated staking die, or by heat spinning
or ultrasonic means.
The method of the invention thereby enables the provision of more
complex push pin type articles, since it greatly simplifies the
cost and effort involved in the insertion and holding of pin in the
base member.
The method in accordance with the invention thus makes readily
possible the provision of push pin articles having such features as
a plurality of pins, complex contoured surfaces, and hinged
components. If it were necessary to consider the insertion of the
pin in the casting or molding process, in accordance with prior
techniques, the production of such articles would have been
unnecessarily complex.
The method in accordance with the invention is particularly
advantageous in the production of the following push pin
articles:
1. A push pin, especially adaptable for the mounting of picture
frames on a wall, having one pin adapted to be inserted in the
wall, and a second pin extending from an opposite surface for
insertion in the frame of the picture.
2. A push pin of small size having a loop shaped projection
especially adaptable for insertion in the back of a picture frame
to serve as a mounting device for a picture hanging wire or
alternatively to mount an object to the wall.
3. Push pin hooks, especially adapted for the hanging of pictures
on a wall, having specially contoured surfaces for guiding a
picture wire or hook, or hinges formed therein, to enable the hook
part of the push pin to be moved away from the wall to simplify the
engagement of the hook with the picture wire or a hook.
4. A push pin having a plurality of parallel pins extending from
the same surface, to enable the push pin to carry more weight.
5. A multiple purpose push pin having a projection with a convex
end on a projection at the pin end, in order to enable the push pin
to be inserted at an angle in a wall, the projection further
serving as a hook. This article may have a grooved surface on the
pin side to serve in clamping an article, and the pushing surface
may be concave to serve as a confortable pushing surface.
6. A piecture hanging push pin of the type having an elongated bar
shaped support with pins inserted in either end for mounting the
push pin on the back of a picture frame. The bar shaped element is
formed with a saw toothed edge, the plane of the saw tooth edge and
the side adjacent thereto being angled to conform to the supporting
surfaces of a mounting nail, when the nail is driven at an angle
into a wall.
7. A wire or cord clamp, especially adapted for use on a picture
frame, having an eccentric cam for engaging a picture frame wire,
to simplify the adjustment of the height of a picture on a
wall.
The method of the invention may alternatively, of course, be
employed for the insertion of other elongated members in a base
member. For example, a steel shaft such as a gear axle or the like
may be assembled in a base in accordance with the invention.
In the push pin articles having a hinge, or a pivoted component, it
is convenient in accordance with the invention to employ a casting
technique wherein one element of the push pin is first cast, and
then the second element is cast, employing the hinge or axis
portion of the first cast member as a portion of the mold, whereby
additional elements and steps are not required for the formation of
the movable joint between the elements. This technique has not been
generally employed in a push pin type article in the past, since
the dies, already complicated by the requirements of the hinging
action, would be even more complex if it were necessary to also
cast a pin in the article.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, it will
now be disclosed in greater detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a first step for
providing a push pin article, in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the step of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a simplified perspective view of a push pin article at
the second step of the method in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the push pin of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a simplified perspective view of a push pin article
following a third step in the method in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the push pin of FIG. 5;
FIGS. 7 and 8 are simplified side views of two embodiments of a pin
which may be employed in a push pin article in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a push pin in
accordance with the invention, the illustration showing the push
pin at the step of the method in accordance with the invention
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;
FIG. 10 is a simplified illustration of the use of the push pin of
FIG. 9 in the hanging of a picture;
FIG. 11 is a simplified illustration of a technique for employing
push pins of the type illustrated in FIG. 9 for mounting a picture
on a wall;
FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective illustrations of a push pin of the
type of FIG. 9, showing different ornamentation on the heads of the
push pins;
FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of a push pin in accordance with
the invention, especially adapted for the affixing of a picture
wire to the back of a picture frame;
FIG. 15 is a rear view of the push pin of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a simplified illustration of the mounting of the push
pin of FIGS. 14 and 15 to a picture frame;
FIG. 17 is a perspective illustration of a double pin push pin in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 18 is a front view of the push pin of FIG. 17;
FIGS. 19 and 20 are rear and front perspective views respectively
showing the mounting of the push pin of FIGS. 17 and 18 to a
picture frame;
FIG. 21 is a side view of a push pin hook having a specially
contoured surface, in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 22 is a front view of the push pin hook of FIG. 21;
FIG. 23 is a simplified side view of the push pin hook of FIGS. 21
and 22 mounted to a wall, and illustrating the engagement of a
picture wire with the hook;
FIG. 24 is a perspective illustration of a modified push pin of the
type shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, incorporating a pair of pins;
FIG. 25 is a front view of a push pin saw tooth picture mount in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of the picture mount of FIG. 25,
taken along the lines XXVI--XXVI;
FIG. 27 is a side view, illustrated partially in cross section, of
the picture mount of FIG. 25;
FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the picture mount of FIG. 25;
FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating the mount of the picture
mount of FIGS. 25-28 on the back of a picture frame;
FIG. 30 is a side view of a push pin wire clamp in accordance with
the invention;
FIG. 31 is a top view of the wire clamp of FIG. 30;
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the wire clamp of FIGS. 30 and 31,
illustrating the clamping of a wire thereby;
FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the clamp of
FIGS. 30 and 31 in the holding of a picture wire to a picture
frame;
FIG. 34 is a perspective illustration of a hinge cast picture hook,
in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 35 is a perspective illustration of a molded hinged push pin
hook in accordance with the invention; and
FIG. 36 is a simplified side illustration of the push pin hook of
FIG. 35, illustrating the hinging action thereof.
Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate the steps of
forming a push pin article in accordance with the invention. FIGS.
2, 4 and 6 are cross sectional views of the steps illustrated in
FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 respectively. These figures illustrate the
formation of a push pin article having a base member 20, and a pin
21. It will be apparent of course that the base member 20
illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 is exemplary only, in order to facilitate
the explanation of the method in accordance with the invention, and
that hence the base member may have any of a number of desired
shapes or sizes, as will be apparent from the following
description.
The base member 20 has first and second opposed surfaces 22 and 23
respectively, and a hole 24 extending between the first and second
surfaces. The pin 21 has a sharpened end 25 and a blunt, preferably
flat end 26, the shank 27 of the pin having a diameter slightly
greater than the diameter of the hole 24 before assembly of the pin
and base member together.
The base member 20 may be die cast, for example of a zinc die
casting metal, and the hole 24 may be formed therein either as part
of the casting process or by a subsequent drilling operation. It is
preferred, in order to minimize manufacturing expense, that the
hole 24 be die cast with the base member.
Alternatively, the base member 20 may be of a thermoplastic
material, such as polypropylene, nylon or Delrin and may be formed
by conventional plastic molding techniques.
It is to be noted that the base member is provided with a
projection 28 extending from the surface 23 and surrounding the
hole 24. This projection is formed with the base member 20 in the
preferred embodiment of the invention, although it will be apparent
that the method of the invention may be modified to obviate the
necessity of providing such a projection.
In the formation of the push pin, the pin 21 is aligned with the
hole 24, adjacent the side 23 of the base member with the sharpened
end 25 of the pin directed toward the hole 24, as illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2. The pin is then forced into the hole 24, from the
side 23, until the sharpened end 25 thereof extends beyond the
surface 22 of the base member, and the blunt end 26 lies below the
surface 23, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The reference to the
phrase "below the surface" in this regard refers to the fact that
the pin is forced to such a position that a portion of the hole is
exposed between the blunt end of the pin and the adjacent end of
the hole.
In the next step of the method, the material of the base member is
flowed into the end of the hole adjacent the blunt end of the pin,
as is more clearly apparent in FIG. 6. As a consequence, the
portion of the hole between the blunt end of the pin and the
surface 23 becomes substantially completely filled with the
material of the base member. The term "flowing" as employed herein
refers to a process whereby the material of the base member is
plastically deformed, either by mechanical action or the action of
heat, to move the material of the base member adjacent the hole 24
into the hole.
When the base member is formed of a die cast material, the metal of
the base member may be swaged over by a staking operation, which
may be effected by a punch press, spinning or radial staking, or a
high speed hammering operation. As an example, when a projection 28
has been formed on the base member, a staking punch may be provided
having an ornamental shape to provide a decorative projection on
the base member over the blunt end of the pin, such as the
hemispherical projection 29 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus,
when the base member material is a die cast material, it is
preferable that the flowing of the metal be effected by mechanical
means.
While FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate the formation of a completed
push pin having an ornamental projection 28, due to the provision
of the necessary shaped projection 28 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, it
will be apparent that the flowing of the metal may also be effected
without the formation of a projection on the base member. In this
case, the projection is suitably designed so that the staking
operation, for example, by spinning, results in a flat surface of
the metal of the base member covering the pin.
When the base member is formed of a thermoplastic material, the
staking or flowing may be effected by heat staking (i.e., employing
a heated staking tool), by locally ultrasonically heating the
plastic material to effect the flowing thereof, or by a heat
spinning operation to spin the thermoplastic material over the
blunt end of the pin.
In one example of the production of a push pin in accordance with
the invention, the base member 20 was die cast by Zamak zinc die
casting element, the hole 24 having been cast in the base member.
The hole 24 had a diameter of about 0.040 inches, and the diameter
of the shank of the pin was 0.045 inches. In this example, the
projection 28 was in the form of a frustum of a cone with a major
base diameter of 0.120 inches, a top diameter of 0.060 inches, the
angle between the axis and sides of the frustum being 34.degree..
The staking tool was formed with a concave staking face having a
radius of 0.060 inches, to form the projection 29 of the same
shape. Following the staking operation, a layer of the base member
metal of about 0.030 inches covered the blunt end of the pin. Prior
to the staking operation, the pin had been forced into the hole so
that its blunt end was approximately 0.05 inches below the top
surface of the frustoconical projection 28.
SInce a layer of the material of the base member covers the blunt
end of the pin, following the formation of a push pin in accordance
with the invention, the pin 21 is axially restrained and the danger
of the blunt end of the pin 21 passing through the surface 23 of
the push pin, and thence into the finger of a user, upon the
application of pressure to the pin is overcome.
A typical pin 21 for use in the method of the invention is
illustrated in FIG. 7. The shank portion 27 of this pin, adjacent
the blunt end 26 has a straight smooth surface. A long tapered
portion 30 extends between the shank 27 and the pointed tip 25. The
pin may be made, for example, of heat treated carbon steel. In
another embodiment of a pin that may be employed in the process of
the invention, is illustrated in FIG. 8, wherein the end of the
shank 27 toward the blunt end 26 is provided with barbed self
locking annular grooves 31, which serve to more firmly hold the pin
21 in the base member. It will be apparent of course that the pin
21 may be provided with other types of formed areas in its flank
portion to assist in holding the pin within the base member. As
above described, the diameter of the flank portion of the pin is
slightly greater than the diameter of the formed hole 24 in the
base member, so that the pin 21 is force fit in the base member.
This ensures that the pin is held in the base member by sufficient
pressure that it will not easily fall out or be pulled out of the
base member.
One example of a push pin in accordance with the invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 9-13. FIG. 9 illustrates a crosssectional view
of the push pin prior to the final staking operation.
In the push pin illustrated in FIG. 9, the base member 35 is
generally circular, and has a front preferably concave surface 36
and a rear surface 37, through which the pin 38 extends. The pin 38
preferably extends coaxially through the base member.
The rear surface 37 has a convex portion 40 adjacent the pin 38, a
portion 41 extending radially inwardly from the outer edge 42 of
the base member, and an intermediate portion 43 between the
portions 40 and 41. The portion 43 may have a circular cross
section, and be coaxial with the pin 38. The annular surface 41 may
also be convex, and is preferably provided with radially extending
grooves 44.
When the projection 45 of the surface 36 is staked in accordance
with the invention, the surface 36 may thus be formed with a
hemispherical projection 46 at its center, as illustrated by the
dash lines in FIG. 10.
The push pin of FIGS. 9-13 may be employed in a number of different
manners. For example, it may be employed in the same manner as a
conventional thumb tack. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the
push pin may be inserted at an angle in a wall 47, due to the
provision of the convex surface 40. In other words, since the
surface 40 is not flat, complete insertion of the pin in the wall
is not inhibited even if the pin extends at an angle into the
wall.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, the push pin may also serve as a hook,
for example, for hanging a picture from a wall. Thus, in
conventional manner, a picture frame, a portion 48 of which is
illustrated in FIG. 10, is provided with an eye 49 through which a
picture hanging wire 50 is affixed. The wire 50 may be hung over
the pin, as illustrated in FIG. 10, with the wire engaging the
intermediate portion 43 of the push pin.
Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the push pin may be
employed to hold a picture 51 or similar article against a wall,
without piercing the picture. In this case, the push pins 52 and 53
are pushed into the wall 54 above and below the picture, without
piercing the picture, so that the picture is held between the
intermediate rear surfaces 43 of these pins. The grooves 44 in the
surface 41 act as gripping grooves, to enable the more firm holding
of the picture 51 on the wall.
The concave shape of the front surface 36 is provided in order to
facilitate the pushing of the push pin with a finger. The surface
36 may be formed with any desired ornamental design, as illustrated
in FIGS. 12 and 13. It is preferred that the outer edge 42 of the
pin be irregular, for example, by the provision of an ornamental
design, as illustrated in FIG. 12, to facilitate the removal of the
pin by rotation. In other words, the ornamental design at the edges
of the pin facilitates grasping by the fingers, so that the pin may
be readily rotated and withdrawn from the wall.
In a typical pin of the type illustrated in FIGS. 9-13, the push
pin has an overall diameter of 0.475 inches, the base member having
an overall height of 0.19 inches. The convex portion 40 had a
radius of curvature of 0.18 inches, the convex portion 41 had a
radius of curvature of 0.8 inches, and the concave portion 36 had a
radius of curvature of 0.72 inches. The intermediate portion 43 was
cylindrical with an axial length of about 0.05 inches. The radial
extending grooves 44 had depths of about 0.01 inches.
Another form of push pin in accordance with the invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 14-16. This push pin is especially adaptable
for insertion in the rear of picture frames, to facilitate the
attachment of a picture wire thereto. This pin has a base member 55
with a flat surface 56. A loop shaped projection 57 extends from
the base. The blunt end of the pin 58 is embedded in and rigidly
held by the base member 55, and extends through the flat surface
56. A decorative annular groove 59 may be provided in the flat
surface 56 coaxial with the pin 58.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 14-16, the
plane of the loop shaped projection 57 is normal to the pin 58, and
the flat surface 56 forms an acute angle with the plane of the loop
shaped projection 57. The perpendicular relationship between the
pin and the plane of the loop shaped projection is not absolutely
necessary, and in more general terms, the pin extends at an acute
angle to a given direction along the flat surface 56, and the loop
shaped projection extends from the base in a plane, away from the
flat surface, at an acute angle to the given direction. Preferably,
the angle between the flat base 56 and the pin 58 is about
75.degree..
As illustrated in FIG. 16, when the push pin is inserted in the
rear of a picture frame, illustrated generally at 60, the loop
shaped projection is in a plane at an angle of about 15.degree. to
the rear of the picture frame. A suitable picture hanging wire 61
may be affixed to the loop of the loop shaped projection. Thus, a
similar push pin may be inserted at each side member of the picture
frame, with the picture wire extending therebetween for hanging the
picture on a wall. The angular relationship between the loop shaped
projection and the flat surface 56 facilitates the affixing of the
wire to the loop shaped projection. The acute angle formed between
the pin and the flat surface 56 provides for a more positive
holding of the push pin in the picture frame. In an alternative
method for employing the push pin of FIGS. 15 and 14, the pin may
be inserted in the rear of the top of the picture frame, with the
hook shaped projection extending above the picture frame. The loop
of the loop shaped projection may thus be employed as an eye for
hanging the picture on a suitable hook in the wall.
The push pin of FIGS. 14 and 15 has a low profile, i.e., a small
depth between the flat surface and the end of the loop shaped
projection, and a push pin of this type may be relatively small,
for example, having a maximum dimension in the plane of the loop
shaped projection of from about one-half to three-fourths of an
inch, with a maximum height from the picture frame of about
three-sixteenths to five-sixteenths inches.
The push pins of FIGS. 14-16 may be inserted in the rear of the
picture frame merely by pushing them in with a finger, whereby
their installation is more convenient and versatile than a
conventional screw eye. Since the push pin may be cast or molded,
it may also be formed in an ornamental manner for more pleasing
appearance. A pilot hole in the picture frame is not needed, and
there is substantially no danger that the push pin in accordance
with the invention will split a picture frame. It is also apparent
that the push pin may be employed as a general purpose hanger, by
inserting the pin in a wall and employing the loop shaped
projection for hanging articles.
A still further push pin, in accordance with the invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 17-20. This push pin has a base member 65 with
a flat surface 66. A pair of pins 67 and 68 have blunt ends
completely embedded in and rigidly held by the base member 65. The
pin 68 has a pointed end extending from the flat surface 66, and
the pin 67 has a sharpened end extending from the surface 69 of the
base member opposite the flat surface 66. The pins 67 and 68 extend
in a common plane normal to the flat surface 66, the direction of
extension of the pin 67 through the flat surface 66 being spaced
from the point at which the pin 68 intersects the flat surface.
The pins 67 and 68 are preferably parallel and in order to enable
more positive holding, it is preferable that the pins extend at an
angle of about 75.degree. to the plane of the flat surface 66.
One or both of the pins 67 and 68 may be affixed in the base member
by means of the technique described with reference to FIGS.
1-6.
The push pin of FIGS. 17-20 is particularly adaptable to the
holding of a picture frame to a wall. Thus, as illustrated in FIG.
19, the push pin may be affixed to the top of a picture frame, a
portion 70 of which is illustrated, by insertion of the pin 67 into
the top of the frame from the rear thereof. This may be effected by
pressure with the finger in the direction indicated by the arrow.
Then, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the picture frame 70 is held
against the wall, and the pin 68 inserted in the wall by pressure
with the finger in the direction indicated by the arrow in this
figure. The angled orientation of the pins in the preferred
embodiment of the invention provides positive holding of the
picture frame to a wall.
In a preferred method for fabricating the push pin of FIGS. 17-20,
the upper pin 68 is cast in the base member and the lower pin 67 is
inserted in the base member in the technique illustrated in FIGS.
1-6, in order to overcome the problems involved in the casting of
both pins in the base member.
A still further push pin in accordance with the invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 21-23. This push pin has a base member 72 with
a flat surface 73 and a contoured surface 74 opposite the flat
surface. A pin 75 has a blunt end embedded in and rigidly held by
the base member, and a sharpened end extending from the flat
surface 73. A hook 76 extends from the base member 72.
In the embodiment of this push pin illustrated in FIGS. 21-23, the
hook 76 joins the base member 72 at one end of the base member and
extends upwardly therefrom. This relationship is not absolutely
necessary since the base member may have an extension below the
hook 76. In more general terms, in accordance with the invention,
the hook extends from the contoured surface, with the projection of
the end 77 of the hook on the flat surface 73 being spaced from the
projection of the junction of the hook and the contoured surface on
the flat surface 73 in a given direction, i.e., upwardly in the
illustrated embodiment of the invention. The projections in this
definition are taken in a vertical central plane of the base member
normal to the flat surface 73.
Viewing the base member in a direction normal to the above plane,
as illustrated in FIG. 21, it is apparent that the contoured
surface 74 has a smooth contour extending from the intersection
with the hook 76 upwardly to the upper edge 78 of the base member
where it substantially joins the upper end of the flat surface 73.
The contour above described may lie in the central plane of the
base member normal to the flat surface 73, although from the
following criteria, it will be apparent that this relationship is
not necessary. The pin 75 preferably extends at an obtuse angle to
the direction between the intersections of the junction of the hook
with the contoured surface and the end of the hook on the flat
surface 73. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment of the
push pin, the pin 75 preferably extends at a slightly downward
angle, i.e., at about 105.degree. to said direction. In addition,
in order to enable the push pin to be inserted in a wall, the pin
75 preferably intersects the flat surface 73 below the upper edge
78, and above the end 77 of the hook. In more general terms, the
pin intersects the flat surface at a point in a first plane normal
to the flat surface and normal to the above-discussed central
plane, the second plane intersecting the first plane between the
upper edge of the base member and the end 77 of the hook.
As illustrated in FIG. 23, when the push pin of FIGS. 21 and 22 is
inserted in a wall 78, a wire of a picture to be hung may be
readily moved to engage the hook of the push pin. FIG. 23
illustrates a sequence of position 79 of a picture wire, in the
process of hanging a picture on the hook, whereby engagement of the
picture wire with the hook 76 is positively assured. Initially, the
picture is held against the wall, so that the wire takes the
uppermost position illustrated in FIG. 23. Due to the smooth
contoured surface 74 of the push pin, as above discussed, lowering
of the picture will affect the movement of the picture wire
downwardly along the contoured surface, in the direction indicated
by the arrow, so that the picture wire reaches its lowermost
position as illustrated, in engagement with the hook 76, without
the necessity of fumbling with the picture wire to insure its
engagement with the hook 76. The smooth contoured surface above
described inhibits snagging of the picture wire.
The angled orientation of the pin 75, as above described, insures
positively holding of the push pin in the wall. In the arrangement
illustrated in FIGS. 21-23, a single pin 75 is provided, preferably
extending in the central vertical plane of the push pin. In order
to provide a push pin hook capable of supporting greater weights, a
plurality of pins 80 may be provided extending from the flat
surface, as illustrated in FIG. 24. The pins 80 are oriented
generally in the fashion described with reference to FIGS. 21 and
22, although they are preferably disposed symmetrically on opposite
sides of the central vertical plane of the push pin normal to the
flat surface 73.
A further push pin, in accordance with the invention, is
illustrated in FIGS. 25-29. This push pin device is adapted for the
mounting on the back of a picture frame, to engage a wall hook or
nail for holding the picture on the wall.
Referring to FIGS. 25-28, the push pin has an elongated base 85, of
generally rectilinear cross section, with opposite sides 86 and 87,
joined by opposite edges 88 and 89. A projection 90 is provided
extending from the side 86 at each end of the base, the ends 91 of
the two projections defining a plane which, as will be apparent
from the following description, corresponds to the surface of the
picture frame onto which the push pin is mounted.
A pin 92 is provided at each projection 90, the pins having blunt
ends imbedded in and rigidly held by the material of the base, and
sharpened ends extending from the projections in a direction away
from the side 86 of the push pin. The pins 92 preferably extend
normal to the plane defined by the ends 91 of the push pin. If
desired, the ends of the base 85 may be generally rounded, as
illustrated. The edge 88 of the base has a sawtooth shape, and the
portion of the surface 86 adjacent the edge 88 extends in a plane
at an acute angle, (preferably 15.degree.) to the plane defined by
the ends of the projections, as is more clearly apparent in FIG.
26. Thus, the angled portion 93 of the side 86 is closer to the
plane defined by the ends of the projections 91 at the edge 88 than
at the edge 89. The edge 88 also extends at an acute angle to the
plane defined by the ends 91 of projections 90, the edge 88 also
preferably being normal to the plane of the portion 93 of side 86
of the base. In other words, transverse lines across the edge 88,
between the sides 85 and 86, are at a determined acute angle to the
plane defined by the ends 91, and are preferably normal to the
plane of the portion 93 of side 86.
The edge 89 of the base 85 is preferably provided with friction
grooves 94 extending transversely between the sides 85 and 86. The
side 87 may be parallel to the plane defined by the ends of the
projections 90, as illustrated in FIG. 26. Further, the angled
portion 93 of the side 86 may be in the form of a groove in the
side 86, as appears in FIG. 27, so that adequate width is provided
at the edges 88 and 89 to enable use of these edges in the hanging
of a picture.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, the push pin 95 of FIGS. 25-28 is mounted
on the rear of the upper frame member 96 of a picture frame, with
the base of the push pin extending horizontally. The push pin 95 is
mounted on the picture frame merely by pushing the pins 92 into the
back of the picture frame. If the picture is to be mounted on a
nail or similar article extending from a mounting wall, the push
pin 95 is oriented with the saw tooth edge 88 extending downwardly.
In order to provide greater strength in the mounting of the
picture, the nail 97, as illustrated partially in FIG. 26, extends
downwardly into the wall (not shown). The picture frame is then
mounted on the wall, with the saw tooth edge 88 engaging the top of
the end of the nail 97 extending from the wall, as illustrated in
FIG. 26. Due to the angled orientation of the edge 88 and the rear
portion 93 of the base, the head end of the nail is positively
engaged by the push pin. Thus, if the nail has been mounted in a
wall at an angle of about 75.degree. to the wall, the underside of
the head of the nail will rest firmly against the surface portion
93 of the push pin, and the edge 88 will positively engage the
upper side of the shank of the nail adjacent the head thereof.
It is apparent of course, that the saw tooth edge 88 is provided in
order to enable adjustment of the picture, whereby the picture may
be mounted with a selected groove of the saw tooth edge engaging
the nail to ensure the proper positioning and alignment of the
picture.
On occasion, it is desired to mount a picture by means of a hook
affixed to a wall. In this event, the push pin 95 is oriented with
the friction grooves 94 extending downwardly, the picture being
hung by engaging the friction grooves 94 with the wall hook in the
conventional manner. In a typical push pin in accordance with FIGS.
25-29, the pin may have an overall length of about 2 and 2/3
inches, and an overall depth of about one-fourth inch. The
projections 90 may have lengths of about one-eighth inch, in order
to space the base 85 from the back of the picture frame, so that it
can properly engage a nail in the wall or a hook mounted on the
wall.
FIGS. 30-33 illustrate a still further embodiment of a push pin in
accordance with the invention. This push pin is particularly
adaptable for use in the hanging of pictures, and it enables the
adjustment of the picture wire mounted to the frame of a picture.
The push pin comprises a base 100 having a flat mounting surface
101. A pin 102 has a blunt end completely enclosed in and rigidly
held in the base 100, adjacent one end 103 of the base member, and
a pointed end extending from the flat surface 101.
A projection 104 extends from the other end of the base, the
projection 104 having an aperture 105. In the preferred embodiment
of the invention as illustrated in the figures, the axis of the
hole 105 and the axis of the pin 102 lie in a common central plane
of the base 100 normal to the flat surface 101, and the projection
104 extends at an angle of about 45.degree. to the plane of the
flat surface 101.
A projection 106 extends from the surface 107 of the base opposite
the flat surface 101, the projection having a surface 108 lying in
or parallel to the common plane of the aperture 105 and pin 102.
The projection 106 extends upwardly from the surface 107 generally
centrally with respect to the ends of the base 100 and, in the
illustrated embodiment of the invention, has a flat outer side 109,
parallel to the surface 108, the side 109 thereby constituting an
extension of the flat edge surface 110 of the base between the flat
surface 101 and the upper surface 107 thereof. The opposite edge
111 of the base may also be flat and parallel to the edge 110.
A latching lever 112 is pivotally mounted to the projection 106
about an axis parallel to the flat surface 101 and normal to the
above common plane of the hole 105 and pin 102. For this purpose,
the projection 106 is provided with a suitable aperture. The
latching lever 112 has a flat surface 113 slidably engaging the
flat surface 108 of the projection 106.
The portion of the lever 112 in the vicinity of the rotational axis
thereof is eccentric, and forms a cam 114 having peripheral axially
extending teeth 115. An operating lever 116 extends from the cam
114, to enable the rotation of the cam 114. For example, the upper
surface 117 of the operating lever 116 may extend tangentially from
the cam 114 at a location adjacent the portion of the cam surface
closest to the axis of rotation. The operating lever 116 extends
toward the end 103 of the base. The top surface 117 of the
operating lever may be provided with grooves 119 or other surface
markings to inhibit the slipping of a finger thereon.
As illustrated in FIG. 31, the edges of the lever 112 may be
generally aligned with the edges of the base 100, the operating
lever 116 thereby being wider than the cam 114.
As illustrated in FIG. 30, a boss 119 may be provided in the upper
surface 107 adjacent the end 103, the upper edge of this boss being
generally parallel to the lower surface of the operating lever 116
when the operating lever 116 is moved close thereto. The boss 119
thereby provides a thickened portion on the base, to facilitate the
holding of the pin 102.
The pin 102 preferably extends at an angle of about 75.degree. to
the flat surface 101, in the direction toward the other end of the
base. This feature enables the push pin to be more positively held
in use. The base may also be provided with a central aperture 120
between the projection 106 and the boss 119, so that a mounting
screw may be employed for more firmly holding the push pin to a
surface if necessary. It is preferable that the axes of the hole
105 and hole 120 extend parallel to the pin 102, in order to
simplify the formation of the base by a casting operation.
As illustrated in FIG. 30, when the operating lever 116 is moved
adjacent the boss 119, the surface of the cam 114 lying the
greatest distance from the rotational axis is directed toward the
top surface 107 of the base. If desired a suitable projection 121
may be provided on the top surface 107 in the region of the cam,
whereby the projection 121 cooperates with the cam to clamp a wire
or cord therebetween.
The push pin illustrated in FIGS. 30-32 may conveniently be formed
by first die casting the base with the boss 119, projection 106 and
projection 104, with a tapered hole 122 in the projection 106 as
indicated in FIG. 31. The latching lever 112 is then cast onto the
cast base, using the cast base as a portion of the mold, whereby
the pivot of the latching lever is formed integrally with the
lever, and a head 123 is formed on the pivot to prevent removal of
the latching lever from the assembly.
The arrangement of FIGS. 30-32 may be employed, for example as
illustrated in FIG. 33, for adjustably holding a picture wire 125
to the back of a picture frame 126. One end of the wire may be held
by a non-adjustable support 127, for example the push pin
illustrated in FIGS. 14-16. The other end of the picture wire 125
is held by a clamp 128, in accordance with FIGS. 30-32. The portion
at which the picture wire is clamped in the clamp 128 may thus be
readily adjusted, in order to enable the adjustment of the vertical
position of the picture on a wall with great ease. Thus, in the
past vertical adjustment of a picture has required either movement
of the hook on the wall, with consequent frequent damage to the
wall, or by adjustment of the connection of the wire to a
conventional hook. When a clamp in accordance with the FIGS. 30-32
is employed, however, the process of shortening or lengthening the
wire, to effect the vertical adjustment of the picture, is greatly
simplified.
FIG. 32 illustrates the manner in which the wire or cord clamp is
employed. Initially, the latching lever 112 is moved to its
uppermost position, as illustrated at 130 by the dashed lines. The
wire 131 to be clamped is then fed through the hole 105, between
the space between the cam 114 and projection 121, and then behind
the boss 119. The latching lever 112 is then rotated with the
operating lever 116 adjacent the boss 119, in order to firmly clamp
the wire between the cam 114 and projection 121. Since the wire 131
passes through the hole 105 and behind the boss 119, there is no
danger that the wire will slip sidewardly from between the cam and
projection 121. If adjustment of the picture wire is required, the
lever 112 may be simply returned to the position 130, and the
position of the wire changed, following which the latching lever is
returned to the position illustrated in FIG. 32.
While the aperture 105 has been illustrated as constituting a hole,
it will be apparent that a portion of the side of this aperture may
be removed, in order to simplify the installation of a wire or cord
therein.
In a further modification of the invention, as illustrated in FIG.
34, a push pin hook 140, for example of the type illustrated in
FIG. 17, has an upper portion 141 adapted to be affixed to the
wall, for example by means of the pin 142, and a lower portion 143
formed to have a hook preferably at its lower end. The portions 141
and 143 are joined at a hinge joint 144. The hinge joint 144 may be
formed in any conventional manner. For example, if the portions 141
and 143 are separately cast, they are cast with conventional hinge
elements, and a pin may be provided to form the pivot joint of the
hinge, in conventional manner. Alternatively, one of the hinge
portions 141 or 143 may first be cast, with the other of the hinge
parts then being cast employing the hinge region of the first cast
member as a mold, whereby a separate operation and component for
pivoting the two portions together is not necessary. While it is
preferred that the pin 142 be provided in the arrangement of FIG.
34, it is apparent that the pin may be replaced by a hole through
the portion 141, in order to enable the affixing of the hook to a
wall by a screw or other conventional means.
The principle of the hinge of FIG. 34 may also be provided in a
plastic molded push pin hook, as illustrated in FIGS. 35 and 36. In
this arrangement, the hook is molded with an upper portion 150 and
a lower portion 151, joined together by a molded hinge portion 152.
The upper portion may be provided with one or more pins 153,
installed in the assembly by the aforediscussed method in
accordance with the invention. The lower portion 151 may be formed
with a hook 154. The hinged portion 152 may be formed by molding
the push pin hook to have a lesser thickness in the central region
of the push pin.
The arrangements in accordance with the invention as illustrated in
FIGS. 34-36 are particularly useful in the hanging of pictures.
When a conventional hook is employed, the hook is usually first
mounted to the wall, whereupon the picture wire or a hook of a
picture must be installed over the hook. This latter step
isfrequently difficult and frustrating, since the picture wire is
behind the picture, and manipulation of the wire into engagement
with the hook is difficult. In the arrangement of FIGS. 34-36,
however, the push pin is first assembled on a wall, for example by
pressing the outer portion of the hook into the wall with a finger.
The lower portion of the hook is then pivoted away from the wall,
as illustrated in the solid line hook portion of FIG. 36, whereby
the picture may be held horizontally above the hook and the picture
wire moved into engagement with the hook within the view of the
installer. The lower portion of the hook is then pivoted back to
its position adjacent the wall, and the picture lowered to engage
the wall in the installed position. The hook is preferably molded
in a bent condition, as illustrated in FIG. 36, whereby it will be
straightened to lie against a wall under the weight of a
picture.
It is to be understood of course, that the pins of any of the push
pins disclosed above may be installed in the base portions of their
respective devices by the method in accordance with the invention,
as above disclosed.
While the term "pin" as employed above has specifically been
disclosed with reference to a sharpened member, it will be
understood that the term refers in the following claims also to
similar members, such as shafts, axles and the like.
While the invention has been disclosed and described with reference
to a limited number of embodiments, it will be apparent that many
variations and modifications may be made therein without departing
from the invention, and it is intended in the following claims to
cover each such variation and modification as falls within the true
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *