Field of the invention The present invention relates to an adjustable hanging system for hanging an object comprising a base plate having at least one mounting opening for connecting the base plate to a surface in a main plane and two or more mounting members at spaced-apart locations, a connecting member having a hanging element for attaching to the object. Background of the invention

Adjustable hanging systems are known from patent publications US 5743507 A, US 4641807 A, US 2007/0095997 A and US 2014/0231611 A. From public prior use, adjustable hanging systems for hanging objects, such as picture frames or the like are known, comprising a base plate and a connecting member for hanging the objects.

From US 2011/0049325, an adjustable hanging system for suspending an object from a surface is known, comprising a base mounted to a wall, a central plate selectively rotatable with respect to the base, and/or a hook slidably in a slot in the plate cooperating with internal parts for providing adjustment of the hook. The position of the hook relative to the wall may be adjusted by rotating the plate with respect to the base and/or by sliding the hook along the slot.

A disadvantage of this type of hanging system is that the adjustability of the system and hence the number of possible positions of the object that is suspended from the system are limited.. Moreover, the known hanging system requires expertise for operation and adjustment, while it only allows minor adjustment of the positioning of the hanging system once it has been installed. This means that screws must be fastened to the surface at new positions, resulting in substantial additional efforts for the user, and resulting in additional damage of the surface. Furthermore, re-installation of this type of systems can be a tedious task for the user, while when the system becomes detached; there is a risk that all the different parts of the hanging system are difficult to reassemble. Additionally, the prior art hanging system does comprise a relative complex construction having several parts. It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable hanging system for hanging an object, which is easy to install and which allows a large number of possible positions, orientations, shapes and sizes of the object that is attached with the system. Moreover, it is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable hanging system that does not need to be removed from its initial position when the object to be hung is different, in size or shape, from the previous object hung. Additionally, it is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable hanging system for frictionally blocking any movement of the hung object after installation, while permitting the hung object to be easily re-positioned without the need of changing any parts of the adjustable hanging system.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system that can be easily readjusted without the use of specific tools or skills of the user. It is still another object of the invention to provide an adjustable hanging system having moveable parts, which may be adjusted and firmly secured for supporting the object at a desired altitude. It is another object of the invention to provide a picture hanger, which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

Summary of the invention To this end, the object is achieved by providing an adjustable hanging system of the type described above wherein the connecting member is slidably and rotatably connected to the base plate via an elongated opening receiving a projection on the base plate, and wherein the connecting member further comprises at least one through- opening and a retaining element retractably received in the through opening, such that when the through-opening of the connecting member is aligned with a fixing member of the base plate the retaining element engages with the fixing member and fixes the position of the connecting member relative to the base plate. In this manner, a secure and simple hanging system is provided. Moreover, the system provided is highly adjustable, providing a "one size fits all" hanging system.

Additionally, by having a hanging system wherein the retaining element engaging with the fixing member and fixing the position of the connecting member relative to the base plate, a secure hanging system is provide, wherein a steady and solid construction is created. This feature provides an additional security feature for hanging the object that may comprise such dimensions, that a conventional hanging system would not support. Furthermore, the provided hanging system provides the possibility of fine adjustment of the position of the object to be hung, while avoiding the re-location of the parts of the system, which will create extra work for the user.

US 5743507 A does not disclose the presence of a through-opening and a retaining element retractably received in the through opening, such that when the through- opening of the connecting member is aligned with a fixing member of the base plate, the retaining element engages with the fixing member and fixes the position of the connecting member relative to the base plate. The same goes for US 4641807 A, US 2007/0095997 A and US 2014/0231611 A.

Moreover, the fixing member may comprise a number of openings, wherein the number of openings cover at least 30% of the surface of the base plate.

In this manner, the adjustment possibilities of the system are expanded because the engaging possibilities for the connecting member may be substantially extended.

Additionally, this provides a base plate being lighter in weight, without affecting the strength of the base plate and its other mechanical properties.

In an embodiment of the invention, the connecting member comprises a number of through-openings provided along the elongated opening of the connecting member. By having a number of through-openings provided along the elongated opening of the connecting member, the possible fixing positions of the connecting member and therefore, of the object to be hung are multiply, while the strength and other mechanical properties of the connecting member remain intact. Additionally, less material is used for creating the connecting member. Furthermore, by having this configuration of the connecting member, it becomes very intuitive for a user to fix the position of the connecting member relative to the base plate. In an embodiment of the present invention, the elongated opening is of such

dimensions that the connecting member can extend from a perimeter of the base plate to an outward position at a distance from the perimeter of at least l/3 ^rd the length of the connecting member. By having this configuration, the adjustment positioning of the object hung is increased, due to the fact that the distance that the connecting member can slide relative to the base plate is relatively large.

In an embodiment, the fastening member comprises a bolt and/or a nut for clamping the connecting member to the base plate.

Advantageously, this makes the fixing operation very intuitive and easy to perform for the user, while the fix position of the connecting member relative to the base plate remains strong.

The skilled person will appreciate that the retaining element may comprise a screw cooperating with a loose washer, but it should not be limited to the screw and the loose washer. In an embodiment of the present invention, the retaining element comprises a pawl, a pin or a screw.

According to an embodiment, the openings are provided in a regular or irregular pattern.

This provides the possibility to adjust the pattern of the openings to any specific configuration that may be needed. Moreover, by having the possibility to choose between a regular or irregular pattern depending on the characteristics of the object to be hung, the hanging system can be optimized for different types of objects.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting member comprises a top end part and a bottom end part and wherein the hanging element is positioned in a position adjacent to the top end part or the bottom end part.

In this manner, the connecting member can slide along the entire length of the elongated opening, maximizing the longitudinal movement of the connecting member. Additionally, this provides the possibility to adjust the positioning of the object when hung, up to the distance of the entire length of the elongated opening.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fastening member comprises a screw thread attached to a threaded opening in the base plate.

Advantageously, this provides a very simple manner to fasten the connecting member and the base plate. Additionally, this provides the possibility to easy replacement of the fastening member when the fastening member provided is broken or loose. In an embodiment, the fastening member is connected to the base plate at a connection part, and wherein the connection portion is provided at a substantially equal from each of the mounting openings.

This provides an optimal distribution of the forces acting on the base plate once the object is connected and hung. Additionally, the operating life of the component of the system is improved, because the base plate and the connecting member will be under minimal stress conditions when in use.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the retaining element comprises magnetic material.

Advantageously, this provides a retaining element that will be retained in position by the acting magnetic forces of the magnetic material, which will be attracted into the interior of the through opening and the fixing member for fixing the position of the connecting member relative to the base plate.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base plate and the connecting member are made of the same material e.g. metal or plastic.

In this manner, the durability of the main parts of the hanging system is prolonged, while when the system is installed, it will remain long lasting firm. In an embodiment of the present invention, a second connecting member having a hanging element for attaching to the object is provided, such that when in use the second member is slidably and rotatably connected to the base plate via an elongated opening receiving a projection on the base plate. According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the first and second connecting members are slidably and rotatably connected to the base plate via an elongated opening receiving a projection on the base plate, the first and the second connecting members comprise an angular separation in the main plain having an enclosed angle a of about 0°-90°.

This provides the possibility to have at least two hanging points, which will traduce in an improvement of the stability of the object to be hung. Moreover, by providing the second connecting element, a second object may be hung without the need to provide a second base plate or any additional part.

Brief description of the drawings

Below, the invention will be explained with reference to some drawings, which are intended for illustration purposes only and not to limit the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.

Figure 1 shows a front view of an adjustable hanging system according to the present invention; Figures 2a & 2b show a front view and a side view of a base plate of the adjustable hanging system according to the present invention; Figures 2c & 2d a front view and a side view of a connecting member of the adjustable hanging system according to the present invention; and

Figures 3-6 show the adjustable hanging system hanging an object in different positions according to the present invention.

Description of preferred embodiments

Figure 1 shows a front view of adjustable hanging system 1 according to the present invention. The adjustable hanging system 1 comprises a base plate 2 and a connecting member 7 being positioned on top of the base plate 2. The base plate 2 as illustrated comprises a number of fixing members 14, in a form of through-openings. These fixing members 14 are provided along the surface of the base plate 2. As illustrated, the fixing members 14, hereafter referred as base plate openings 14, are provided along the almost entire surface of the base plate 2, but the skilled person will appreciate that the amount of base plate openings 14 does not need to extend along the almost entire surface of the base plate 2. As illustrated, the adjustable hanging system 1 comprises a projection 12, in a form of a retaining threaded pin, which is inserted into an elongated opening 10 of the connecting member 7 for connecting the connecting member 7 to the base plate 2. The embodied connecting member 7 comprises an elongated shape, having a top end part 17 and a bottom end part 18. The elongated opening 10 extends along the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 7 from a portion near the top end part 17 downwards to a portion near the bottom end part 18. The elongated opening 10 as illustrated is sized to and receiving the projection 12, hereafter referred as a threaded pin 12. When mounted, the threaded pin 12 compresses the connecting member 7 against an opposing surface of the base plate 2. Additionally, the connecting member 2 comprises a plurality of through-openings 11 extending along both sides of the elongated opening 10. The through-openings 11 comprise a diameter being about the same diameter of the base plate openings 14. In this manner, when adjustable hanging system 1 is in assembled state, a retaining element 16 can be inserted into the through- openings 11 for engagement with the base plate openings 14 for preventing any possible movement of the connecting member 7 relative to the base plate 2, and therefore, fixing the position of the connecting member 7.

As it can be seen in figure 1, the connecting member 7 further comprises a hanging element 15 for hanging an object 19. The hanging element 15 as here illustrated, can be found at the top end part 17 of the connecting member 7. The skilled person will appreciate that the hanging element 15 may be provided at any other position along the vertical axis of the connecting member 7.

Figure 2a shows a front view of the base plate 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the base plate 2 comprises the plurality of base plate openings 14 covering almost the entire surface of base plate 2. The illustrated pattern or distribution of the base plate openings 14 is such as to optimize the surface space of the base plate 2, while the strength and mechanical properties of base plate 2 may remain intact or at its optimum value. In this manner, when the object 19 is hung, the whole physical integrity of the base plate 2 remains unaltered.

As it can be best appreciated, the base plate 2 comprises a pair of mounting openings 5 being provided at spaced-apart locations and at an axial distance from each other. The illustrated mounting openings 5 receive each a mounting member 6, which pass through a front surface 3 of the base plate 2 and project into a surface 20 so as to securely fix the base plate 2 to the surface 20. The skilled person will appreciate that the surface 20, as best seen in figure 2b, may be a vertical building wall, but it should not be limited to such a surface.

Figure 2b shows a side view of the base plate 2 being mounted to a surface 20 by fixedly connecting the mounting members 6 into the surface 20. The mounting members 6 as embodied are screws having a series of threads on its outer periphery. The threads may match exterior threads on the outer periphery of the mounting openings 5. The base plate 2 comprises a rear surface 4, which is connected to the surface 20. The rear and front surfaces 3, 4 of the base plate as embodied are flat surfaces. Moreover, the base plate 2 as embodied is of thin sheet metal stock such as steel. The skilled person will appreciate that the material of the base plate 2 may not be limited to steel.

The base plate 2 may comprise an outer diameter of about 10-100 cm, preferably of about 10-50 cm, and most preferably about 12-30 cm, when the base plate comprises a circular cross-section. The dimensions of the connecting member 7 may be relative to the dimensions of the base plate 2 in a ratio of about 1 :5, preferably about 1 :4 and most preferably about 1 :3. It should be mentioned that in any event, the dimensions of the connecting member 7 may always need to be about a ratio of about 1 : 5 the dimensions of the base plate 2. It should be noted that the rear surface 4 of the base plate 2 may be textured such as by being abraded at, to increase the friction between the rear surface of the base plate 2 and the surface wherein the base plate is mounted.

The skilled person will appreciate that the base plate 2 as embodied comprises a circular shape. Although, the shape of the base plate 2 should not be limited to a circular shape. The base plate 2 may comprise a square or rectangular shape, as well as any other regular or irregular rectangular shapes. Moreover, the base plate may be adapted to comprise a specific shape of a character or number or any other shape. Additionally, in figure 2b it can be seen the retaining element 16 being inserted into one of the base plate openings 14. The retaining element 16 comprises an elongated body member 24 and a head member 25. The head member 25 comprises a bigger diameter than the diameter of the elongated body member 24. The elongated body member 24 comprises a diameter of about the diameter of the diameter of the base plate openings 14. It should be noted that the length of the elongated body member 24 of the retaining element 14 is at least equal that the total thickness of the base plate 2 and the thickness of the connecting member 7. Figures 2c and 2d show a front and a side view of the connecting member 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connecting member 7 comprises a flat front surface 8 and a flat rear surface 9. The illustrated connecting member 7 comprises the hanging element 15 outwardly projecting from the flat front surface 8. The hanging element 15 is provided with a peripheral groove 15', which will receive the object hanging. The embodied hanging element 7 may be an integrated part of the connecting member 7 or may be a separated part of the connecting member 7, which is

mechanically connected to the connecting member 7 by any suitable means e.g.

welded, threaded, etc.

Figures 3 to 6 illustrate the adjustable hanging system 1 in different hanging positions. As shown, the object 20, here illustrated as a frame 10, having a hanging wire 21 extending from a side member 22 of the frame 19, to a parallel opposite side member 23 of the frame 19. As it can be appreciated, the connecting member 7 may be extended or retracted with respect to the base plate 2, which is a fix position. As illustrated in figures 3-6, the connecting member 7 is rotated and fix in different positions.

Moreover, the connecting member 7 is fixed and retained in the fix position by inserting the retaining element 16 into one of the through-openings 11 of the connecting member 7 and one of the base plate openings 14. In this manner, the frame 19 is securely connected, while the possibilities for allowing the user to move and change the hanging position of the frame 19 with respect to the base plate 2 are relatively large.

The illustrated embodiments comprise the base plate 2 being connected to a surface 20, which is embodied as a building wall 20, by means of the screws 6 being screwed into the building wall 20 for securely fixing the base plate 2 to the building surface 20. This provides a firm and solid base plate 2 for hanging the frame 19 to the connecting member 7, via the peripheral groove 15' of the hanging element 15. Moreover, this provides the possibility to adjust the position of the frame 19 easily after the connecting member 7 system has been securely installed.

As may be appreciated in figures 3-6, the connecting member 7 may be extended or retracted to the extent of the length of the elongated opening 10 and the through- openings 11, depending upon which one receives the retaining element 16. When the frame 19 is not exactly positioned in a position wherein the user firstly intended to positioned it, the angular position of the connecting member 7 may be adjusted as well as the radial extent of the hanging element 15 from a pivot axis defined by the connection between the connection element 7, via the elongated opening 10, and the threaded pin 12. Rotation of the threaded pin 12 releases the compressive force acting through the connecting member 7 on the base plate 2 to make that adjustment. This requires mere loosening of the threaded pin 12. However, before performing this operation, the retaining element 16 will have to be removed.

As illustrated in figure 3, the connecting member 7 does not project upwardly with respect to the base plate 2, it may just as well project downwardly, obliquely, or it may be oriented vertically either up or down from the position shown in figures 4-6. While preferably the connecting member 7 is of a substantially rectangular strip form, and also of metal, it may be of other material and of a different configuration, which mate with the base plate 2.

In use, the hanging of the object 19 on a surface 20 using the adjustable hanging system 1 of the present invention as illustrated in figures 1-6, where the object 19 and the adjustable hanging system 1 are represented in different hanging positions. First, the various parts of the adjustable hanging system 1 are assembled by securely fixing the base plate 2 to the surface 19, at any suitable location, by introducing each of the screws 6 into the mounting opening and screwing the screws into the surface 19. Right after, the rear surface 9 of the connecting member 7 is connected with the front surface 3 of the base plate 2, in such a way that the elongated opening 10 of the connecting member 7 is onto the threaded opening 13 of the base plate. It is then, when the threaded pin 12 is provided and inserted into the threaded opening 13. In this manner, the connecting member is slidably and rotatably connected to the base plate 2. The user may rotate 360° with respect to the base plate 2. Moreover, the user can slide up and down the retaining member 7 along the entire length of the elongated opening 10, with respect to the base element 2. The skilled person will appreciate that the last two operations may be done simultaneously or separately. Once the user has determine a position for fixing the movement of the connecting member 7, one of the through- openings 11 of the connecting member 7 is aligned with one of the base plate openings 14, such that the retaining element 16 is inserted into the through-opening 11 and the base plate opening 14. In this manner, movement of the connecting member 7 is prevented. Additionally, the user may tighten the threaded pin 12 in case it is needed, for a maximum stable hanging of the frame 19.

It will be recognized when adjusting the position of the connecting member 7 relative to the base plate 2, and taking into consideration the dimensions of the object to be hung, that the connecting member 7 position is adjusted, so that preferably no portion of the connecting member 7 will be visible from the front side of the object to be hung. In other words, when the object 19 is hung in position, the adjustable hanging system 1 is not visible at all. The skilled person will appreciate that the dimensions of the parts of the adjustable hanging system 1 would not be selected such that the base plate 2 or the connecting member 7 are bigger and/or longer than the dimensions of the object 19.

The skilled person will also appreciate that after the adjustable hanging system 1 is securely mounted on the surface 20, the object 19 is placed on the adjustable hanging system 1 by resting the hanging wire 21 or any other hanging piece of the object e.g. hanging brackets or screws provided on the back part of the object, on the hanging element 15.

The adjustable hanging system 1, and more specifically the base plate 2 and the connecting member 7, as illustrated and described, may be fabricated of a wide variety of materials, such as metal, any suitable plastic material or wood.

The skilled person will appreciate that the adjustable hanging system 1 is readily adjustable to a variety of object sizes. The adjustable hanging system 1 is readily adjustable to level the object. Further, when the object hung on the hanger ceases to be level, due to some loosening of one of the system members; the system may readily be readjusted and tightened to return the picture to a level attitude. The system is simple in construction and can be manufactured and assembled at minimum cost. It should be noted that the adjustable hanging system 1 may comprise more than one retaining element, and that the retaining elements 16 can be different from each other, depending on the specific needs in each of the fixing points and also on the characteristic of the object to be hung.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the connecting member 7 may comprise a bent being provided about a bending portion, such that the angular separation angular separation in a main plane having an enclosed angle a of about 0°- 45°. In this manner, when the object to be hung comprises certain thickness, the object my still be hung substantially parallel to the main plane of the surface.

Thus, the invention has been described by reference to the embodiments discussed above. It will be recognized that these embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms well known to those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described, these are examples only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention.

Reference numerals:

1. Adjustable hanging system

2. Base plate

3. Front surface of the base plate

4. Rear surface of the base plate

5. Mounting opening

6. Mounting member/screw

7. Connecting member/

8. Front surface of the connecting member

9. Rear surface of the connecting member

10. Elongated opening

11. Through-opening

12. Projection/threaded pin

13. Connecting part/threaded opening

14. Fixing member/openings in the base plate/Base plate openings

15. Hanging element/hook

16. Retaining element/pawl/pin

17. Top end part of the connecting member

18. Bottom end part of the connecting member

19. Object/frame

20. Surface/Building wall

21. Hanging wire

22. Side member of the object/frame

23. Parallel opposite side member of the object/frame

24. Elongated body member

25. Head member