This invention relates to a hanging element, a hanging system comprising the hanging element, and a method for employing these.

The present application claims priority from:

Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2012901 936 titled "A MEANS AND METHOD FOR HANGING PICTURES AND THE LIKE" and filed on 1 1 MAY 2012.

This application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Objects such as pictures, paintings, mirrors and the like are typically suspended from walls via hook-like mountings that only provide support for the object at a point, about which point the object can then pivot. As a result, it is easy to hang such objects out of square, or crooked (i.e. with non- horizontal top and/or bottom edges), and for correctly hung objects to become crooked through l ittle more than an unintended bump.

It is against this background that the present invention has been developed.

Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the fol lowing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of this invention there is proposed a hanging element comprising a plate like body, at least one straight, lengthwise extending bevelled edge, and which is adapted for length adjustment thereof.

For the purpose of this application, the term plate should be taken as a reference to a flat, thin piece of material.

In one form, the hanging element is adapted for shortening thereof. In one form, the hanging element is adapted for lengthening thereof.

In one form, the hanging element is adapted for shortening by way of comprising a point or line of weakness via which the hanging element is divisible. This line of weakness facilitates the shortening of the hanging element by breaking this along the line of weakness. In one form, the hanging element is adapted for lengthening by way of compri sing a pair of ends, where at least one of the ends comprises connection means for effecting connection with a further, substantially identical hanging element.

In an alternative, the hanging element is adapted for either of shortening or lengthening by way of being telescopic.

In one form, both ends of the hanging element comprise said connection means.

In one form, one end of the hanging element comprises male connection means, and the other end comprises matching female connection means.

In one form, one end of the hanging element comprises at least one male dovetail portion (a pin) and the other end comprises at: least one female dovetail portion (a tail).

In one form, the hanging element comprises a pair of substantially parallel, lengthwise extending edges, and the or each line of weakness extends between the lengthwise parallel edges.

In one form, the hanging element further comprises a plurality of such weakness lines at spaced ' apart locations along the length of the element. In one form, separating the hanging element along a line of weakness creates two hanging elements.

In one form, separating the hanging element along a line of weakness exposes connection means in at least one of the newly created edges.

In one form, the angle of the bevel on the bevelled edge is between 30 and 60 degrees.

In one form, the angle of the bevel is 45 degrees. In one form, the hanging element comprises at least one aperture therethrough. Via such apertures, fasteners can be employed to secure the hanging element to an object or wall as required.

In one form, the hanging element incorporates dedicated adhesive application points. Such points ensure that adhesive is applied at appropriate points as to ensure optimal adhesion with the object being adhered to the hanging element. In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a hanging system comprising a pair of hanging elements, each hanging element element comprising a plate like body and at least one straight lengthwise extending bevelled edge, and wherein at least one of the hanging elements is adapted for length adjustment thereof, wherein in use, a first hanging element is secured to a vertical surface with its bevelled edge uppermost and facing the surface, 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 in contact.

In one form, at least one of the hanging elements of the system is adapted for lengthening thereof.

In one form, at least one of the hanging elements of the system is adapted for shortening thereof. In a further aspect, the in vention may be said to reside in a method of use for a hanging system comprisin a pair of hanging elements, each hanging element element comprising a plate like body and at least one straight lengthwise extending bevelled edge, and wherein at least one of the hanging elements is adapted for length adjustment thereof, 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 in contact.

In one form, the method comprises the further step of shortening at least one of the hanging elements of the system prior to securing this to either of the vertical surface or the object. In one form, the method comprises the further step of creating the two hanging elements of the system, by separating one hanging element along a line of weakness thereof.

In one form, the method comprises the further step of lengthening at least one of the hanging elements of the system prior to securing this to either of the vertical surface or the object.

In one form, the hanging element is lengthened by connecting two hanging elements end to end. In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a hanging element comprising a plate like (substantially planar) body, at least one straight, lengthwise extending bevelled edge, and which is adapted for shortening and lengthening thereof.

In a further aspect, one hanging element can be adapted for attachment to the vertical surface, and another hanging element adapted for attachment to the object to be hung. In a further aspect then, the invention may be said to reside in a hanging system comprising a pair of hanging elements, where each of the hanging elements is in the form of a plate having at least one straight, lengthwise extending edge and a pair of ends, where the straight, lengthwise extending edge is bevelled, and one hanging element is adapted for securement to a wall, and the other hanging element is adapted for securement to an object for hanging. In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a kit of parts for a hanging system of the above described type.

In one form, the kit of parts, comprises means for fastening each of the pair of hanging elements to either of the wall or the object for hanging. In one form, the kit of parts comprises a first type of fastening means for securing one hanging element to the wall, and a second type of fastening means for securing a second hanging element to the object for hanging.

In one form, said fastening means may comprise any one or more of screws (including masonry and/or timber screws), wall plugs or anchors, and adhesive. In one form, the kit of parts comprises one or more spacer elements to maintain the ob ject for hanging substantially parallel to the wall.

In one form, each spacer element is cylindrical, and has a height which is substantially identical to a thickness of the hanging elements.

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 such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. 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.

The present invention may be 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. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of this invention it will now be described with respect to an exemplary embodiment which shall be described herein with the assistance of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hanging element;

Figure 2 is an object (ie. an object for hanging, or which is to be hung) side side view of the hanging element in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view lengthwise through the hanging element in Figures 1 and 2, taken along line A-A. of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side edge view of the hanging element; Figure 5 is a wall side view of the hanging element; Figure 6 is an end view of the hanging element;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a further hanging element; Figure 8 is a wall side view of the hanging element in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view lengthwise through the hanging element in Figures 7 and 8, taken along line A-A of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a side edge view of the hanging element illustrated in Figures 7 through 9;

Figure 1 1 is an object side view of the hanging element illustrated in Figures 7 through 10;

Figure 12 is an end view of the hanging element illustrated in Figures 7 through 1 1 ; and

Figure 13 is an end view of a hanging system employing a pair of the hanging elements.

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figures I through 7 illustrate a hanging element 1 in the form of a rectangular plate of plastic material having a pair of major, lengthwise parallel edges 2 and 4, and a pair of ends 6 and 8.

One of the major lengthwise parallel edges 2 is bevel led at, in this exemplary embodiment, an angle of 45 degrees, and both of the ends 6 and 8 comprise connection means for effecting lengthwise connection of hanging element 1 with a further, substantially identical hanging element 1 or 100 (discussed below). One end 6 of the hanging element 1 incorporates at least one male dovetail portion (a pin) 10 and the other end incorporates at least one female dovetail portion (a tail) 12.

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 lengthwise into segments 30 (where each segment has its own centre point marker), and via which lines of weakness the hanging element 1 can be broken and shortened. There is a rectangular aperture 40 through each segment 30 of the hanging element 1. The aperture 40 is positioned in or about the centre of each segment 30 of the hanging element 1 , and is provided so that a fastener (such as a screw for instance) can be used to secure hanging element 1 to a wall (or any vertical surface for that matter). Each segment 30 of the hanging element 1 further comprises a pair of lengthwise spaced apart circular recesses G on the wall face W of the hanging element 1 . In use, adhesive for securing the hanging element 1 to the wall is applied at these recesses G.

Some text (not shown in Figures 1 through 7) may also be printed on or formed into the object face O of the hanging element 1 , so as to be the correct way up when the bevelled edge 2 of hanging element 1 is uppermost. This text may be instructional (such as by reading "THIS WAY UP") or promotional in nature.

Figures 8 through 12 illustrate a hanging ^' element 100 which is nearly identical to hanging element 1 , differing only in the following respects. Firstly, element 100 has a pair of smaller (ie. smaller than aperture 40), spaced apart, circular apertures 50 therethrough, where these are positioned near the two corners of each segment 30 that are nearest the non-bevelled edge 4 thereof. These apertures 50 can be used to secure hanging element 100 to an object for hanging via small fasteners such as screws, nails or pins or the like.

Some text may be printed on or formed into the wall face W (as opposed to the object face O) of the hanging element 100, but for hanging element 100 the text is the correct way up when the bevelled edge 2 of hanging element 1 is lowermost. This text may be instructional (such as by reading "THIS WAY UP") or promotional in nature.

Referring now to Figure 13, where it is illustrated how in use, the first hanging element 1 is secured to the wall 200 with its bevelled edge 2 uppermost and wall face W facing the wall 200. The second element 100 is secured to the object 300 to be hung (a picture in this case) with its bevelled edge 2 lowermost and object face O facing the object. The hanging element 100 is then positioned atop the first hanging element 1 so that the bevelled edges 2 of each element 1 and 100 are in contact.

An advantage of the present invention is that, as a result of the relatively the long, bevelled edges 2, provided the hanging elements 1 and 100 are fixed to the wall 200 and object 300 respectively 'in square', the object or picture 300 cannot be hung crooked or become crooked through little more than an unintended bump. Moreover, the long straight edges 2 and 4 assist the squaring of the hanging elements 1, 100 at the time of securing these to the wall 200 and object 300 respectively, as any one or more of a ruled line, set square, T-square or even a spirit level can be used to ensure the squareness of the hanging elements 1 and 100. A further advantage is that the length of the hanging elements 1 and 100 can be tailored to suit the hanging application and or the hanging load. If hanging elements 1 or 100 are too long for the intended application or load, then they can be broken along an appropriate line of weakness 20. Conversely, if hanging elements 1 or 100 are too short or the hanging load too great, then a first element 1 or 100 can be secured by the connecting portions 10 and 12 in one of its ends 6 or 8 to a further element 1 or 100.

It will be understood that whilst a system comprising hanging elements 1 and 100 that are specifically adapted for securement to a wall 200 and object 300 respectively is preferable, that two portions of either of hanging elements 1 or 100 could be used as described, or indeed two identical hanging elements 1 or 100 could be used as described.

For instance, where a small object or picture 300 is to be hung using adhesive or adhesive tape only for instance, then either of hanging elements 1 or 100 could be divided into two portions by being broken along a line of weakness 20, and one portion affixed to the wall 200 using the adhesive, and the other portion fixed to the object or picture 300 using the adhesive. It will be apparent therefore that each of the hanging element, hanging system and the method for employing these described herein are effective, stable, secure and extremely versatile.

It will be understood that the ter "comprise" and any of its derivatives (e.g. comprises, comprising) as used in this specification is to be taken to be inclusive of features to which it refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied.

Any and all publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters fonn part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Although the disclosure has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognised that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.