PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2013904840 titled "HANGING APPARATUS IMPROVEMENTS" and filed on 2 December 2013, the content of which is hereby incorporated b reference in its entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[00 11 The following patent application is referred to in the present application and its contents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety:

.International Patent Application No PCT AU2013/00047? titled "A MEANS AND METHOD FOR HANGING MIRRORS PICTURES AND THE LIKE" in the name of GB Use Pry Ltd.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[00021 The present invention relates to a hanging element, a hanging system comprising the hanging element, and a method for employing these.

BACKGROUND

1 0031 international Patent Application No PCT/AU2013/000477 discloses a method For hanging an object by securing a first hanging element (ie a wall element) comprising at least one bevelled edge to a wall wit its bevelled edge uppermost and facing the wail, and securing a second element (ie an object element) comprising at least one bevelled edge to an object with its bevelled edge lowermost and facing the object, and then positioning the object element atop the wall element so that the bevelled edges of each is facing and adjacent,

[0004] It is theoretically possible howe ver, for the bevelled edge of the object (or upper) element of FCT/AU2013/000477 to drive a wedge between the wail element and the wall, forcing, these apart, and resulting in the suspended item falling.

[0005 ] it is against this background that the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

[000&I Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. SUMMARY

[0007 ] According to a first aspect, there is provided a hanging element comprising at least one bevelled edge, and a means for resisting sliding of the bevelled edge relative to a bevelled edge of a further .like hanging element when the two hanging elements are arranged so that the respective bevelled edges arc facing and adjacent.

[0008 ] For the purpose of this specification, a bevelled edge is an edge that is not pefpendicuiar to a face or faces of the hanging element.

[0009] In one form then, the bevel is linear or straight.

[00! 01 in one form, in an alternative, the bevel is curved.

[0 i 11 hi one form, the curved bevel is convex (ie bullnosed or the like),

[0 12] In one form, in an alternative, the curved bevel is concave (ie coved or the like).

[0013 ] In one form, the bevelled edge comprises the means for resisting sliding.

[0014] According to a further aspect, there is provided a hanging element comprising a pair of oppositely directed major faces, an edge bridging this pair of faces which is not perpendictfiar to them, and a means for resisting sliding of the edge relative to an edge of a further like hanging element when the two hanging elements are arranged so that the respective edges are facing and adjacent.

[001.5] This means for resisting sliding may comprise any means for increasing sliding resistance between these edges. Examples of such means may incl ude increasing a coefficient of friction of these surfaces by application of a non-slip coating, such as a paint or tape.

[0 16] In one form, the means for resisting sliding comprises interlocking means comprising at least one interlocking feature.

[0 17 ] in one form, the interlocking feature comprises either of a male or a female feature or portion, where the male feature or portion is adapted to engage the female feature or portion. In other words, the interlocking feature comprises either of a pro jection or a recess, where the projection is adapted to interlock with the recess and vice versa.

[0 18] la one form, the hanging element comprises a. projection, and the further like hanging element comprises a recess. In one form, i an alternative, this order is reversed. [001 ] In one form, the hanging element comprises a plurality of projections, and the further like hanging element comprises a plurality recess. In one form, in an alternative, this order is reversed.

[0020] According to a further aspec t, there is provided a hanging element comprising at .least one bevelled edge comprising a projection extending from the bevelled edge.

[0021 ] According to a further aspect, there is provided a hanging element comprising at least one bevelled edge comprising a recess in the bevelled edge.

100221 In one form, the bevelled edge of the hanging element comprises a projection and a recess for interlocking the bevelled edge with a bevelled edge of a further like hanging element when the two hanging elements are arranged so that the respective bevelled edges are facing and adjacent.

[0023] In one form, the male feature or portion is elongate and comprises a direction of elongation which extends along the bevelled edge.

[0024] hi one form, the female feature or portion is elongate and comprises a direction of elongation which extends along the bevelled edge.

10025 ] In one form, where the female feature or portion is elongate, this is longer than the male feature or portion. j 00261 In one form, the angle of the bevel on the bevelled edge is between 30 and 60 degrees. [00271 In one form, the angle of the bevel is 45 degrees,

[ 00281 In cases where the angle of each bevel is not 45 degrees, but different, then the two angles are complementary . That is to say, their measures sum to 90 degrees. For example, if the object hanging element comprise a bevel of 30 degrees, then the wall hanging element comprises a bevel of 60 degrees.

[0029] In cases where one hanging element comprises an edge with a bevel which is convex., the other hanging element will comprise an edge with a bevel which is concave, and shaped to nest the concave bevel .

[ 0030] According to a second aspect, there is provided a hanging system comprising a pair of hanging elements, each hanging element comprising at least one bevelled edge, and wherein at least one of the hanging elements comprises a. means for resisting sliding of its bevelled edge relative to the bevelled edge of the other hanging element when the two hanging elements are arranged so that, the respective bevelled edges are facing and adjacent. j 0031 ] In one form, each hanging element of the ^' hanging system comprises a means for resisting sliding of its bevelled edge relative to the bevelled edge of the other hanging element when the two hanging elements are arranged so that the respective bevelled edges are facing and adjacent.

[0032] In one form, the or each means for resisting sliding comprises an interlocking means comprising at least one interlocking feature.

[0033 ] in one form, one hanging element comprises a female interlocking feature, and the other hanging element comprises a male interlocking feature which is adapted to engage the female interlocking feature when the two hanging elements are arranged so that the respective bevelled edges are facing and adjacent.

[0034] in one form, when the two hanging elements are arranged so thai the respective bevelled edges are facing and adjacent and their respective interlocking features are interlocking, a gap is present between the respective facing and adjacent bevelled edges.

[0035] fa one form, wherein a first hanging element is secured to a vertical surface with its bevelled edge uppermost and facing the surface, and a second element is secured to an object with its bevelled edge lowermost and facing the object.

[0036] According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of use for a hangin system comprising a pair of hanging elements, each hanging element comprising at least one bevelled edge, and wherein at least one of the hanging elements comprises a means for resisting sliding of its bevelled edge relative to the bevelled edge of the other hanging element when the two hanging elements are arranged so that the respective bevelled edges are facin and adjacent, the method comprising the steps of securing a first hanging element to a vertical surface with its bevelled edge uppermost and facing the wall, and securing the second element to an object with its bevelled edge lowermost and facing the object, and then positioning the second element atop the first element so that the bevelled edges of each element are facing and adjacent.

[0037 ] in one form, one hanging element comprises a female interlocking feature, and the other hanging element comprises a male interlocking feature which is adapted to engage the female interlocking feature when the two hanging elements are arranged so that the respective bevelled edges are facing and adjacent, the method comprising the further step of positioning the two hanging elements so that the respective bevelled edges are both facing and adjacent, and their respective interlocking features are interlocking.

[0038] According to a further aspect, there is provided a hanging element comprising at least one edge comprising means for interlocking the edge relative to an edge of a further like hanging element when the two hanging elements are arranged so that the respective edges are facing and adjacent. j 0039 ] According to a further aspect, there is provided a hanging system comprising a pair of hanging elements, each han ing element comprising at least one edge comprising means for interlocking the edge with the edge of the other hanging element when the two hanging elements are arranged so that the respective edges are facing and adjacent.

[0040] As above, the interlocking means comprises at least one interlocking feature., and the interlocking feature comprises either of a male or a female featu re or portion, where the male feature or portion is adapted to engage the female feature or portion.; In. otherwords, the interlocking feature comprises either of a projection or a recess, where the projection is adapted to interlock with the recess and vice versa.

[0041] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with suc embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not l imited to any embodiment. On the contrary,, the scope of the inventio is limited, only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalen ts. For the purpose of example., numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention,

[0042 ] The present inventio may he practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in. the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0043] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0044] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a first (object) hanging element; [0045] Figure 2 is an isometric view of a second (wall) hanging element;

[0046] Fi ure 3 is a cross -sectional isometric view taken through a hanging system comprising a pair of hanging elements (along line A- A for each) arranged with their respective bevelled edges facing and adjacent;

[00471 Figure 4 is a plain cross-sectional view taken through the pai of hanging elements of Figure 3; and [0048 ] Figure 5 is a detail cross-sectional view taken through the pair of hanging elements of Figure 3, detailing the interlocking features of the facing and adjacent bevelled edges.

[0049 ] in the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0050] Figure jllustrates a hanging element 1 in the form of an elongate rectangular plate moulded from an engineering plastic material , and comprising a pair of major, lengthwise parallel edges 2 and 4, and a pair of ends 6 and 8.

[ 0051] The hanging element 1 is scored at an array of positions along its length to create lines of weakness 20 that divide the. hanging element .1 iengfh ise into functional segments 30 (where each segment has its own centre point marker), and via which lines of weakness 20 the hanging element 1 can be broken and shortened. More specifically. Figure I illustrates a hangin element 1 divided into two segments 30 by one line of weakness 20.

[0052 ] One of the major lengthwise parallel edges 2 of hanging element I is bevelled at, in this exemplary embodiment, an angle of 45 degrees, and each segment 30 comprises a male (that is to say projecting) feature X in the form of an elongate raised rib which extends lengthwise along a central portion of the bevelled edge 2 for each segment 30 of hanging element 1. This elongate raised rib comprises a square edge and a planar face XP.

[0053 J Figure 2 illustrates a hanging element 100 which is nearly identical to hanging element 1 , but which differs in at least one key respect, this being that bevelled edge 2 of each segment 30 comprises a female (that is to say recessed) feature Y in the form of an elongate groove which extends lengthwise along a central portion of the bevelled edge 2 for each segment 30 of hanging element 1. This elongate groove Y comprises a square internal corner, a planar floor YP, and is shaped and sized to receive the elongate raised rib X with planar face XP bearing against planar floor YP.

[0054] Referring now to Figures 3 through 5, where it is illusixated how in use, the first hanging element 1 is to be secured to a wall (not illustrated) by any of the methods discussed in PCT/A.U2013/000477, with its bevelled edge 2 uppermost and facing the wall. The second element KM ⁾ is to be secured to an object (not illustrated) to be hung (such as a picture or mirror) by any of the methods discussed in PCT/AU20.13/000477, with its bevelled edge 2 lowermost and facing the object. The banging element 100 is then positioned atop of the first hanging element 1 so that the be velled edges 2 of each element 1 and 100 are lacin and adjacent but spaced apart by a gap G. This locates the elongate raised rib X in the elongate groo ve Y in such a way that the planar face XP of the elongate raised rib X bears against the planar floor YP of the elongate groove Y, thereby interlocking the hanging elements I and 100 in such a way that their respective bevelled edges 2 cannot move relative to one another. This prevents the object (or upper) element. I from driving a wedge between the wall element 100 and the wall, forcing these apart, and resulting in the suspended item failing.

[00551 It will be appreciated that the hanging elements and system disclosed herein may comprise any of the additional features disclosed in PCT/AU2 13/000477. Moreover,, in addition to the stated advantages of the hanging element and system disciosed in PCT/AU2013/000477, the present invention provides the further advantage that the bevelled edge of the object element cannot, move in such a way as to drive a wedge between the wall element and the wall . The bevelled edge of the object element may however move lengthwise with respect to the bevelled edge of the wall element (so far as the length of groove Y permits this), and in this way permits some positional adjustment of the hanging object.

[0056] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0057J The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an.

acknowledgemen of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0058 ] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present, invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.