This invention relates to apparatus for attaching objects to walls and the like. Background of Ihe Invention

Traditionally, objects such as posters, framed pictures and similar items have been attached to walls by means of either drawing pins and "Blu-tak"® in the case of posters, or picture hooks in the case of framed pictures and similar items which are heavier than posters. Attaching posters to walls by means of "Blu-tak"® and drawings pins is generally unsatisfactory. Heat causes "Blu-tak"® to soften after a time and posters attached to a wall by "Blu-tak"® tend to become stained by the "Blue- tak"®. Drawing pins also often fall out of walls and can also tear posters. Both these problems are exacerbated by gusts of wind, draughts and the like. Picture hooks have the problem that they include sharp protuberances which project into a living area.

When attaching heavier items to a wall holes are often drilled into the wall and some form of retaining device is inserted into the wall. That retaining device may include means for attaching an object to the wall or it may include means for receiving a screw, nail or the like. The problem with such devices is that the hole which is drilled in the wall to receive the retaining device is often too large and full of abraded material from the wall which produced by the drilling process. The result is often very unsatisfactory and frustrating for an ordinary person doing DIY work. The present invention seeks to provide devices for attaching objects to walls or the like which alleviate some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of known existing devices.

Thus, in a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for attaching a laminar object to a wall or the like, the device comprising: a plate defining a first face and a second face; the first face of the plate being attachable to a wall, a boss protruding from the second face of the plate; and retaining means adapted to locate on or around the boss; wherein one of said plate or said retaining means includes or is made of a ferrous mateπal and the other of the plate and the retaining means includes

or is made of a ferromagnetic mateπal. so that the retaining means, plate and boss co-operate to retain the laminar object located between the plate and the retaining means in a fixed location relative to the plate and retaining means, the arrangement being such that the laminar object, such as a poster or the like may be pierced or otherwise caused to define an aperture, and may be supported from the boss by means of the aperture and retained there by the retaining means.

In one embodiment the plate includes a washer made of a ferrous material disposed on the plate around over the boss, and the retaining means is a rubberised magnetic material, such as is commonly used for fridge magnets. Alternatively, the plate may be ferromagnetic, and the retaining means may be ferrous.

Conveniently, the plate may be generally circular in plan view.

The plate may be attached to a wall by means of "Blue-tak"® or a similar product, glue or the like, or the plate may define a sucker, which is particularly useful for attaching the device to windows, mirrors and the like.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for attaching an object to a wall or the like, the device comprising: a plate defining a first face and a second face; means for attaching the first face of the plate to a wall, a boss protruding from the second face of the plate; and retaining means adapted to locate on or around the boss: wherein the boss is generally spherical and spaced from the plate by a spacer integral with the boss and plate, the retaining means being a keeper comprising a body defining a recess which is configured to push fit over the sphere and retain the keeper on the sphere, and a foam material which in use is disposed between the keeper and the plate so that the retaining means plate and boss co-operate to retain an object located between the plate and the retaining means in a fixed location relative to the plate and retaining means.

In this embodiment, in use the foam material will compress and assist in retaining a laminar object such as a poster between the keeper and the plate.

The keeper is preferably made from a plastics mateπal. The plate may be attached to the wall by any standard means such as glue, screws, pins, nails or the like. The keeper may include gripping

means located on the exterior surface of the keeper to assist in push fitting the keeper over the boss and in removal of the keeper. The device may be arranged so that a special tool is required for removal of the keeper.

The embodiments of the invention described above have the advantage of a lack of any sharp protuberances such as hooks projecting into a living space, and that the object retained between the plate and the retaining means is securely held by their co-operation of the retaining means and the plate.

The plate and boss may be incorporated into a wall during construction of a building.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided means for attaching or hanging objects from a wall comprising: a plate arranged to be attached to a wail or the like: an elongate member integral with the plate and an enlarged boss portion integral with a distal end of the elongate member remote from the plate; and a wedge adapted to locate around the elongate member, one face of the wedge acting against the boss and a second face of the wedge being adapted to compress an object such as a wire or cord between that second face and the plate.

The above arrangement is particularly useful for attaching pictures to walls. Pictures are generally hung by means of cords and the wedge engages the wire or cord against the back plate to prevent the wire from slipping and the picture from hanging crooked. The wedge angle may be between a half and ten degrees preferably two to five degrees. The boss may be generally plate like and define a rear surface which faces the back plate which is angled at approximately the same angle as the wedge angle.

The wedge may include a recess for insertion of an elongate tool to assist in locating the wedge in place.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention. there is provided means for attaching an object to a wall including a piston/plunger and cylinder arrangement, the cylinder including an end wall and side walls wherein the side walls include one or more perforations or weakened portions adapted to perforate under pressure, the interior of the cylinder containing glue, cement or the like, the arrangement being such that the cylinder may be inserted

into a hole formed in a wall or the like, the piston/plunger may be depressed into the cylinder and the glue cement or the like is extruded from the side walls of the cylinder to securely locate the cylinder in tho hole in the wall.

Preferablv, the one end of the plunger which faces the end wall of the cylinder is sharpened and adapted to pierce the end of the cylinder to allow air to enter the cylinder when the plunger is fully depressed into the cylinder.

The other end of the plunger may define a component of a retaining means as described any of the previous aspects of the present invention. A fifth aspect of the present invention provides means for attaching an object to a wall or the like comprising: a cylindrical member having a generally constant diameter: a generally cylindrical sleeve defining an annular cross-section the outside diameter of the sleeve being generally constant and the internal bore tapering to define a narrower bore at least one location, the sleeve being split longitudinally at least two places in the vicinity of the narrowed internal bore part the arrangement being such that when a cylindrical member having a generally constant diameter is pushed into the bore, part of the sleeve expands. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a first embodiment of a device lor attaching posters or the like to a wall; Figure 2 shows a cross-section through a second embodiment of a device for attaching posters or the like to a wall;

Figure 3 shows a cross-section through a third embodiment of a device for attaching posters or the like to a wall:

Figure 4 shows a magnetic plate adapted for co-operation with the devices shown in Figures 2 and 3:

Figure 5 shows a cross-section through a second embodiment of the present invention used for attaching objects to a wall:

Figure 6 shows a cross-section through a third embodiment of the present invention used for attaching a picture to a wall: Figure 7 shows a plan view of a wedge shown in Figure 6:

Figure 8 shows a cross-section view of the wedge of Figure 7 in the direction of arrows VIII- VIII;

Figure 9 shows a fourth device embodying the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a view on arrow A as shown in Figure 9: Figure 11 shows the device of Figure 9;

Figure 12 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 13 and 14 shows a variation on the embodiment of Figures 9 to 11: and

Figures 15 to 18 are variants on the embodiment of Figure 12. Detailed description of the Invention

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a device generally indicated at 10 for attaching a poster 12. or other similar light weight laminar object to a wall 14. The device includes a plate IG which is attached to wall 14 by means of an adhesive coating 18. In plan view the plate is generally circular and an integral boss 20 which includes a generally cylindrical portion 22 and an enlarged end portion 24 extends from and is integrally moulded with the plate. Inside the plate IG there is located a ferrous plate 26. The device also includes an annular, or washer shaped, magnetic retention device 28, which is preferably formed from a rubberised magnetic material such as is used in fridge magnets.

In use. a hole 12a which is approximately the same size as the enlarged portion 24 of the boss is made in the poster 12 and the poster is hung from the boss by means of the hole 12a. The magnetic plate is then also placed over the boss and magnetic attraction between the retention part and the plate holds the poster securely between the plate and the retention part. The hole in the centre of the retention device 28 may be slightly smaller than the boss 20 so that the device 28 is also held in place by friction.

Instead of an adhesive coating, the plate could be attached to the wall by any suitable means such as screws, nails, pins, tacks, velcro. double sided sticky tape, or the like. The plate and boss could be made of any suitable material. The plate 26 could be magnetic and the retention part could be made of a ferrous material.

Related devices to the device shown in Figure 1 are shown in Figures 2 to 4. Referring to Figure 2. the device 410 includes a plate 416 which is circular in plan view and whose diameter D is 32mm. A boss 420 which is

integrally moulded with the plate defines a first generally cylindrical portion 422 having a diameter of 6.0mm and a second generally cylindrical portion 424 of slightly narrower diameter of 5.8mm. A cylindrical hole 426 extends through the centre of the boss and plate: the major portion of the hole has a diameter of 1.3mm, however the end of the hole distal from the plate 410 has an enlarged diameter of 1.8mm.

A channel 428 having a width of 0.5mm and a depth of 0.2 mm extends around the base of the boss 420 where the boss joins the plate. Above the plate and channel a zinc anodised steel washer 430 having a diameter of 6.0mm and defining a central hole of 6.0 mm diameter is push- fitted, or alternatively glued, onto the first cylindrical portion 422 of the boss. The channel 428 is provided in case there are any burrs on the washer caused in the manufacturing of the washer

Figure 4 shows a magnetic retaining plate 412 made of a magnetic mateπal dispersed in a rubber-like material of the type used to make fridge magnets. The plate is generally rectangular but one triangular corner portion 450 is cut-out, the coiner 452 opposite the cut out portion being angular and the two other corners 454, 456 being rounded.

In use the plate 410 is attached to a wall by "Blu-tak"®, glue or other suitable means. If additional strength is required, a nail extending through the hole 426 is used. A hole is punched in a poster or the like and the poster is hung from the wall by means of the boss extending through the hole, with the retaining plate 412. and in particular magnetic attraction between the washer 430 and the plate 450. securing the poster in position. For aesthetic reasons the angular corner 452 of the plate can be aligned with a corner of the poster.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment similar to that shown in Figure 2. but in which the device 460 includes a sucker 462 so that the device may be removably attached to a window, mirror or the like. The device including the sucker and the boss can be moulded out of a rubber compound.

In a preferred embodiment the retaining plate 412 carries a design, such as an advertising logo or the like. The magnetic retaining plate may be any suitable shape.

Referring to Figure 5. a second embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 50. The device comprises a generally circular plate 52 which can be attached to a wall 14 by any suitable means. A generally

cylindrical protrusion 54 extends out from the plate and at the end of the protrusion there is a spherical boss 56. The plate, protrusion and boss are preferably, integral and formed from a plastics material. A generally hemispherical retention means includes a cavity 60 of similar shape to the member 54 and sphere 56 and which is adapted to snap fit over the sphere 50 and thus be retained on the ball 56. A planar end surface 62 of the retention means is coated with a layer of foam 64. This layer compresses elastically when a object such as a poster or picture frame hanger or the like is located between retention parts 60 and plate 52 to enable the object to be held securely against the plate 52 and in a manner which resists movement of the object.

A tool may be provided for removal of the retention means. The retention means includes finger grips 66 located on the hemispherical surface of the retention means. In an alternative embodiment, the boss may be a smooth cylinder and the retention means defines a similar but marginally wider smooth cylindrical bore so that it push fits onto the boss and is retained there by friction. Alternatively, a bayonet type fitting may be provided in which a J shape is defined in the boss and the retention means defines a protrusion adapted to locate in the slot to retain the retention means on the boss.

Alternatively the boss and retention means could be threaded for inter-engagement.

Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention generally indicated at 100. The device includes a cylindrical plate 102 a rear face of which is attached to a wall by any suitable means, a cylindrical member 106 which extends from an. opposite, front face 104 of the plate and an enlarged generally cylindrical plate 107 located at the distal end of member 106 remote from plate 102. The face of the plate which faces plate 102. is at an angle of approximately five degrees to the vertical as orientated in figure 3 so that it co-operates with a wedge 110 to compress and retain a picture wire 112 or the like inserted between the wedge 110 and the front face of the plate 104 as shown in Figure 6.

The wedge is shown in more detail in figures 7 and 8. As can be seen the wedge is generally circular in plan view with a elongate cut-out portion 114 which extends along a radius of the wedge to its centre. In cross-section the wedge defines a wedge angle of approximately five degrees.

although any suitable wedge angle could be used. A hole 116 is defined for insertion of a tool for permitting remote control of the wedge by an elongate tool or the like.

With reference to the embodiments shown in figures 1 to 8. a number of such devices may be grouped together on a single plate.

Figures 9. 10 and 11 show a fourth device 302 for use in attaching objects to a plasterboard wall 300 or similar tvpe of wall by means of a cylindrical hole 303 in the wall. The device 302 includes a cylindrical sleeve 304. having an annular cross-section one end of which defines an annular flange 306. A first part of the sleeve 308 has a generally constant cylindrical bore which tapers gradually to define a narrower tapering cylindrical bore 310 at the distal end of the sleeve remote from the flange 300. As can be seen in Figure 10 the part of the sleeve which is tapered internally is cut into four equal wedge segments 312a. b. c, d. The bore receives a generally cylindrical member 314 having a flange 315 at one end and a circumferentially extending channel 316 adjacent a protrusion 316a at the other end.

In use. as shown in Figures 9 and 11. the sleeve is inserted into a cylindrical hole 303 and the member 314 is simply pushed into the bore of the sleeve, when it reaches tapering section 310. wedges 312a-d are pushed outwards and lock the sleeve in the hole 303, and protrusion 316a locks the member in the sleeve. Flange 315 mates with flange 306 as shown in Figure 1 1. Since the bore is smooth a screwdriver or similar tool is not required. Although the bore 310 defines four wedge segments, two. three, or more than four segments could be used.

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate an embodiment which works υn the same principal as that shown in Figures 9 to 11. Figure 13 is a cross section through the device, and Figure 14 is an end view on arrow XIV after the member 314 has been fully inserted into the sleeve 304. When member 314 is inserted into sleeve 304 the sleeve 304 expands, protrusions 350 embed into the wall 300. and lugs 352 engage against the reverse surface 354 of the wall. Teeth 358 on the member 314 engage with teeth 356 on the interior of the sleeve to lock the member 314 in place in the sleeve.

Lugs 352 are only used if the wall 300 is of known thickness, such as a plasterboard wall. The head 315 of the member may define a hook or other

device such as a component of one of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 8. The device could be made of plastic or a rubber compound.

In all the above described embodiments, the means for attaching the plate to the wall, the diameters of. materials used for and the sizes of the components may be varied depending on the size and weight of the object which is to be attached or hung to a wall.

The devices may be produced in plastic moulded in various colours. The devices may be incorporated into walls such as preformed curtain walls during the manufacture of the walls, if desired. Depending on the strength and construction of the devices they can be used to retain various objects against the wall including mirrors, pictures, posters and the like.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in figure 12 and indicated generally at 200. The device comprises a cylinder 202 defining a closed end 204 and an open end 20G which end also defines a annular plate 207 and an aperture 209 in which a cylindrical plunger 208 is inserted. The end of the plunger 210 which is located inside the cylinder is pointed to enable it to pierce the end of wall 204, when depressed into the cylinder. The wall 204 may be weakened to facilitate this occurring.

The cylinder has a generally annular cross-section and the plunger is generally cylindrical. The plunger mates with the end of the cylinder 206 in a liquid tight fashion and washers or o-rings, not shown, may be used to facilitate this. The distal end 211 of the plunger remote from the cylinder defines an annular surface 222 from which protrudes a boss 223 similar to that of the third embodiment. The cylindrical walls of the cylinder are weakened at a number of locations 214.

The cylinder contains a glue or cement.

In use. the cylinder is inserted into a hole formed in a wall, such as a gyprock wall which shown in phantom at 220. The cylindrical hole is generally uneven and may contain abraded material, dust and the like. In use. holes 214 are made in the walls of the cylinder. The cylinder is inserted into the hole, the plunger depressed and cement is discharged from the holes 214 where it solidifies and thus retains the cylinder in the wall. End 210 of the plunger pierces the end wall 204 of the cylinder to allow air in to assist in speeding up the solidifying process. The cylinder is depressed until surface 222 of the plunger is flush with the plate 206. Thus, the device then defines a plate and protruding boss device such as is shown in figure 6,

which can be used with the wedge shown in figure 7 to attach a picture or the like to the wall.

It will however, be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the end of the plunger may be in fact of any suitable configuration or indeed no end may be provided and objects may merely be attached to the plunger by use of screws, nails or the like.

The cylinder may be filled with any suitable glue or adhesive material, cement or the like such as two part concrete so that as the plunger is depressed into the cylinder the two part concrete mixes together and produces a mixture which will solidify. The device preferably includes means for preventing unwanted depression of the cylinder.

In the embodiment shown in figure 12 flaps having a free end and an end attached to the cylinder may be spaced around tho circumference of the cylinder which in use when adhesive is depressed into the hole, move away from the cylinder and assist in retaining the cylinder inside the wall.

In another variant of the idea illustrated in Figure 12, sho in Figures 15 and 16, piston 402 is solid and almost as wide as the c ider 400. An O-ring 404 (Fig 15) or a skirt 408 (Fig 16) seals the "blind" end hole 406 in wall 220. The cylinder is filled with cement and as the piston is depressed in the cylinder any excess cement is eventually forced towards the front end 410 of the wall because the blind end 406 is blocked. The cement or filling compound maybe a cartridge fitted into the cylinder or mixed and inserted into the cylinder. Two pack resins or cements are particularly suitable. Dissimilar materials can be joined together as shown in Figure 17.

The embodiment shown in Figures 15 and 16 may be used to align bolts in a group of holes which have drifted. As illustrated in Figure 18 which is a plan view of four bolts 441 in four holes 442. The holes are drilled slightly oversize and a number of bolts inserted into the holes in the correct relationship to each other. The bolts move in the holes so that they are correctly aligned, on say the corners of a square as shown in Figure 18. This is particularly useful for bolting or fixing heavy objects or plates to floors as the weight of the object can be used to eject the cement from the cylinder 400. Advantageously in the embodiments shown in Figure 12 and Figures 15 to 18, the bolt is not loaded, making calculation of the load bearing capacity of the device simple.

In the above described embodiments which describe attaching plates to walls, the manner m which the plate is held to the wall is not significant and could include built in pins, screws, nails or gluing the plate to the wall. The rear surface of the plate may be coated with an adhesive and covered with a peel-off backing layer.

Although all the above embodiments describe attaching objects to walls it would be obvious to the skilled man that the invention could be adapted to attach objects to floors, ceilings or other objects.