Concealed mounting system.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a concealed mounting system, particularly one suitable for concealed mounting of frames or signage.

Background to the Invention

Several methods currently exist for fixing items such as picture frames or mirrors to walls. Picture rails, wires, and ear tabs extending either side of the frame are in common use. However, these fixings are often unsightly and it is desired to have invisible fixings.

GB 2 251 884 discloses a concealed fixing with a hollow body with a keyhole shaped opening to allow the entry of a fixing screw head into the circular part of the keyhole shaped opening. The screw head is then engaged by moving the screw head to a second position in the elongate groove. The fixing screws are located on the mounting wall. Although the picture can be levelled on the wall and the mount is concealed, it is often difficult to orientate the fixing screws to engage the circular part of the keyhole shaped opening.

DE3715944 relates to a device for the concealed suspension of wall panels by means of a hook-like two part fastening system. The first fastening part is a fastening pot let into the wall panel which has a covering panel with an opening smaller than the diameter of the body. The second fastening part is a hook like fastening part which can be inserted into the covering panel of the first fastening part. It is difficult to orientate the frame to engage the hook as both parts of the fastening system are concealed behind the frame.

Sticky mountings such as Command™ Strips are easily concealable, but are often less secure than screw- fixings and make it difficult to ensure a level hanging position. Therefore there is a necessity for a simple mounting which will be concealed, but which provide a simple secure mechanism to level and fix the item to be mounted.

Object of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a secure mounting system for a variety of objects which is simple to use, ensures level hanging of the object and is easily visible during the mounting process, but hidden when the object is fixed in position.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a concealed mounting system that allows an object to be securely fixed to a wall or other horizontal or vertical surface.

In particular the present invention provides a concealable mounting system comprising: first and second cooperating plates slidably engaged in a common plane; wherein the first plate is fϊxable to the rear of an item to be surface-mounted, and the second plate is fϊxable to a surface on which the item is to be mounted; and wherein in use, with the first plate fixed to the rear of the item and the item being supported in position to be mounted, the second plate is slidable relative to the first plate between: a concealed position wherein the second plate is concealed behind the item, and an exposed position wherein a portion of the second plate extends beyond an edge of the item to permit attachment of the second plate to the surface, and wherein the second plate is returnable to the concealed position following attachment of the second plate to the surface.

The dimensions of the first cooperating plate may be larger than those of the second cooperating plate. This embodiment enables the second cooperating plate to slide within the first cooperating plate, the second plate acting as a first plate, the first as a male component. It will be appreciated that this also allows the second mounting plate to return to a concealed position wherein it is completely hidden behind the item to be surface mounted. Furthermore in a preferred arrangement where concealed mounting systems are placed opposite each other on an item to be surface mounted, the smaller dimensions of the second cooperating plates mean both second plates are simultaneously hidden behind the object.

The concealable mounting system may further comprise at least one stop member to limit the translation of the second plate relative to the first plate. This stop member may be a rim or ledge formed on one edge of the first cooperating plate. This ledge may prevent the second cooperating plate from sliding through the first stop member. It will be appreciated that the stop member may alternatively or additionally comprises one or more uprights such as pins or columns arrange to stop the second cooperating plate. It will also be appreciated that the location of the stop member may assist the user in correctly positioning the mounting system on the rear of the item to be mounted as in a preferred construction the stop member should be orientated towards the centre of the item to be mounted.

A stop member may also limit the portion of the second plate extending beyond the edge in an exposed position. A stop member on the second plate may be a rim or ledge formed on one rim of the second cooperating plate. In one embodiment when the second plate is slidably engaged with the first plate and the first plate is fixed to the rear of the item to be mounted, the stop member on the second plate may catch or otherwise engage with the fixings on the first plate to prevent the second plate from sliding too far and disengaging with the first plate. However, it will be appreciated that when the first cooperating plate is not fixed on the rear of the item to be mounted the second stop member does not prevent the second plate from disengaging with the first plate.

In a preferred embodiment the first cooperating plate comprises a track into which the second plate is slidably receivable. This track may be defined by two opposing folded edges of the first plate.

In one construction, the track is formed along the lower horizontal edge of the first cooperating plate, however, it is preferable for a secure fit that there are tracks or edges on the upper and lower horizontal edges. The edge or rim of the second cooperating plate may engage with the track or rail. It will be appreciated that the second cooperating plate may be substantially flat or in a further construction the centre of the second cooperating plate may be raised relative to its edges.

In a further construction the track may be in the form of one or more tracks or rails formed on the body of the first cooperating plate. The tracks or rails may be raised strips or tracks. The corresponding second cooperating plate may have grooves or slots such that the slots on the second cooperating plates are slidably engaged with the tracks on the second cooperating plate. It will be appreciated that the grooves or slots may be on the first cooperating plate and the tracks or rails may be on the second cooperating plate or there may be a combination of slots and grooves on each plate. A combination of slots and grooves could be used to ensure correct orientation of the second cooperating plate and the first cooperating plate.

In one construction the first plate may further comprise at least one aperture defined therein to receive means for fixing the first plate to the rear of an item to be surface- mounted. When the second plate is engaged with the first plate, the aperture(s) will be exposed, allowing the concealable mounting system to be fixed to the rear of the item to be surface mounted.

The second plate may further comprise at least one aperture defined therein to receive a means for fixing the second plate to a surface on which the item is to be mounted. In a preferred embodiment the aperture may be being available to receive a means for fixing when the second plate is in an exposed position.

It will be appreciated that when the first and second plates are glued to the item and the surface on which the item is to be mounted, these apertures may be closed or sealed.

The present invention also encompasses a kit comprising at least two concealable mounting systems and may further comprise means of fixing the concealable mounting system to the surface on which the item is to be mounted as well as means for fixing the concealable mounting system to the rear of an item to be surface mounted. In a further embodiment, one first cooperating plate may be provided with two second cooperating plates. The first cooperating plate may span the full width of the item to be mounted and may be fixed width or extendible so that it can be used with items of various widths. The second cooperating plates may be slidably engageable on either side of the first cooperating plate.

The kit may further comprise at least one means of fixing the concealable mounting system to the rear of an item to be surface mounted, or to the surface on which the item it to be mounted. These fixings may be adhesives or hardware fixings such as screws, studs or nails.

The present invention further provides a method of mounting an item to a surface, comprising the steps of: providing first and second cooperating plates slidably engaged in a common plane; fixing the first plate to the rear of the item; supporting the item in position to be mounted, sliding the second plate relative to the first plate to an exposed position wherein a portion of the second plate extends beyond an edge of the item; attaching the second plate to the surface, sliding the item over the surface-attached second plate to conceal the second plate behind the item.

The invention further extends to a concealable mounting system substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings. The invention also extends to a kit substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 (a) and (b) shows a side and front view respectively of the first plate of the concealed fixing system of the present invention.

Figure 2(a) and (b) shows a side view and a front view of the male component of the fixing system of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a front view of the connected assembly of the male and first plates of the system of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a rear view of a frame with the fixing system of the invention engaged with the frame.

Figure 5 shows the male components of the fixing system of the present invention, withdrawn from the first plates to overhang either side of the frame of Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a front view of the frame of Figure 4 with the male components of the fixing system of the present invention overhanging either side of the frame.

Figure 7 shows the arrangement of Figure 6 with one male component of the fixing system of the present invention screw- fixed to the wall.

Figure 8 shows a front view of the frame of Figure 7 with the remaining male component screw -fixed to the wall.

Figure 9 shows a front view of the frame of Figure 4 to 7 with the fixing system of Figure 3 concealed behind the frame.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of a concealed fixing system in accordance with the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings. As shown in figure 3, the system comprises two cooperating plates or components wherein in use the first plate is fixed to the rear or reverse of the item to be mounted and the second plate is fixable to a surface on which the item is to be mounted, such as a wall. When engaged, the two parts act to secure the item to the wall without external assistance.

The system is intended for use in pairs, to secure the item to the wall at two points across its back, one pair at each point. The provision of two mounting points along the same horizontal plane maintains the item in a level orientation when mounted on the wall.

With reference to figures 1-9 the cooperating plates are shown as male and female components with the male component being receivable into the female component, however they are not restricted as such.

Figures 1 (a) and (b) show a first plate 1 of the present invention, which is intended to be secured to the item to be mounted. The first plate 1 provides a compartment 107 into which the corresponding male component, or second plate, 2 as shown in Figure 2 can slide, to form the assembly 3 as shown in Figure 3. In the embodiment shown the first and second plates are substantially rectangular, however, it will be appreciated that the plates may take an alternative shape or form.

Two guides 103 are positioned on either side of the compartment 107. A stop member 104 is positioned along one horizontal edge. The opposite horizontal edge 106 is open so that the second plate 2 may engage with the first plate 1. When the second plate 2 is engaged with the first plate, the stop member 104 prevents the second plate 2 sliding through and out the other side of the first plate 1. The guides 103 ensure that the second plate 2 is properly aligned with and secure within the first plate 1 once the two components are properly engaged.

In the embodiment shown in Figure Ib the underside 102 of the first plate is visible. This face 102 will be orientated towards the object to be mounted. For the purpose of the following description, this object is described as a frame however it will be appreciated that it is not limited to such.

Two apertures 101 are arranged at the open side 106 of the compartment 107. Suitable fixing components can be engaged in the apertures to attach the first plate to the frame. It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to two apertures as one or more apertures may be suitable for attaching the first plate to the frame. Alternatively the underside 102 may be glued or otherwise fixed to the frame. Stops such as pegs may be inserted in the aperture(s) after the second plate is inserted. This prevents the second plates from sliding back out of the first plate.

In the embodiment shown in Figure Ia the guides 103 are on the same plane as the compartment space 107, however, it will also be appreciated that the compartment space 107 defined by the lines 108 and 109 in Figure 1 could be recessed relative to the guides 103.

The corresponding second plate 2 shown in Figures 2a and b also has two guides 203 on either side of the central compartment 207. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 these guides are flat platforms/rails. When the second plate is slid onto the first plate, the rails 203 on the second plate slot into the guides on the first plate. The guides 103 on the first plate may incorporate a grip made of rubber or the like which ensures a secure fit for the rails 203 in the guides and also provides a certain level of damping for the frame once mounted.

A stop member 204 is formed at one side 205 of the second plate. When the second plate is engaged with the first plate, the stop member 204 acts with the stop member 104 of the first plate to prevent the second plate sliding through the first plate. The stop member 204 can also be arranged to act so that it prohibits the second plate from sliding back out of the first plate once the two components are engaged. Once the two components are engaged, the stop member 204 may catch on the screw fixings or a stop peg or the like inserted in the apertures 101 of the female member.

The front face 202 of the second plate will be in contact with the surface to which the object is fixed. An aperture 201 in positioned at the end 206 of the second plate, such that it can be attached to the surface to which the frame is to be fixed. However it will be appreciated that more than one aperture can be provided. Alternatively the second plate can be fixed by any alternative means for example adhesive. It will be appreciated that where an adhesive such as glue is applied to the front face 202 of the second plate, an aperture may not be necessary. In figure 2b, the central compartment 207, as defined by the lines 208 and 209 in figure 2b, is shown raised relative to the rails 203 although in alternative embodiments these rails may be level with the central compartment 207.

In another construction, the guides 203 on either side of the central platform 207 may take the form of tracks and the guides on the first plate 103 may take the form of platforms or rails, which slot into the tracks when the two components are connected.

In one construction such as that shown in Figure 3, the second plate is narrower when measured between the edges 205 and 206 than the first plate when measured between the edges 105 and 106. This ensures that when the two components are connected the apertures 101 of the first plate are visible. Additionally this ensures that when the frame is mounted on a wall or the like, the male members can slide within the female members to ensure that the assembly 3 is hidden.

To engage the second plate with the first plate, the second plate is slotted, leading edge first into the open side 106 of the first plate. The leading edge is the edge with the stop member. The stop member of the second plate meets the stop member of the first plate and stops the second plate from sliding further through the first plate.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the object to be fixed 4 is a picture frame. It will be appreciated that the object to be fixed could also be panels for walls, for vertically mounted signage, name plates and the like, prefinished goods, plaques, banners, work tops, screw-less electrical sockets/light fixtures, curtain walls, etc.

A pair of assemblies 3 are mounted on opposing sides of the rear of the frame. It will be appreciated that although two assemblies are shown in figure 4, multiple pairs of assemblies can be mounted. This may be suitable for heavier or more valuable items.

In the embodiment show in Figure 4, the stop members 104 are arranged to face towards the centre of the frame. The second plates 2 are engaged with the first plate and the assembly is secured such that the first plate 1 is secured to the back of the frame, face 102 down flush with the outside edge. The first plates in figure 4 are screw- fixed to the frame however it will be appreciated that it could also be attached by other means such as adhesive, or a nail, pin, nut, rivet or stud.

Figure 5 shows the reverse of the frame ready to be hung. The second plates 2 are slid away from the first plates 1, in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 5, such that they overhang the edge of the frame. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the stop member 204 limits the sideways movement of the second plates. The stop member may catch on the screw-heads or the nail heads or alternatively by means of a further stop peg or the like engaged in the aperture(s) on the first plate.

When the frame 4 is flipped such that the front of the frame is visible, only the two second plates 2 are can be seen overhanging the sides of the picture frame 4 as shown in Figure 6. The apertures 201 are visible ensuring that the frame may be simply connected to any surface. Either second plate 2 may then be attached to the required surface and in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the second plate 2 overhanging the frame on the right hand side is first fixed by a screw 703 to the wall. As the second plate overhangs the side of the frame, it is simple to once again ensure that the assemblies are level and therefore the pictures are level. Once the second plate 2 is attached, the frame can then be slid in the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 8 to conceal the right hand component 2 and its assembly. The second plate slides back into the first plate, and is prevented from sliding too far as by the combination of stop members on the female and second plate as described in relation to Figure 3.

The remaining second plate 2 now overhangs the frame on the left hand side. In the embodiment shown it is also screw- fixed to the surface, but any of the means previously described may also be used. The picture frame is then moved to the left in the direction of the arrow in Figure 9, both second plates sliding in the first plates, until both assemblies are covered. It will be appreciated that as described in relation to Figure 3, the second plate is narrower than the first plate and free to slide back and forth in relation to the first plate allowing both second plates 701 and 702 to be concealed behind the frame. In summary, the second plate has three defined positions relative to the first plate. The first position is its exposed position as demonstrated in figure 5. The second position is a fully received position as demonstrated in figure 4 wherein the second plate abuts the stop means 104. It is this position the right hand side second plate (hidden) in Figure 8 must be in (after it is mounted to the wall) to allow plate 2 to be exposed for mounting as shown. The third position (not seen in the drawings) is a halfway position in which both second plates rest when the item is fully mounted as shown in figure 9.

To remove the frame from the wall the above procedure is reversed. The frame is first moved in one horizontal direction to expose the screw of one of the second plates.

While supporting the frame, the screw can be removed prior to returning the frame back beyond its start position to expose the screw of the other second plate. Once this screw is removed, the frame can be taken from the wall.

The system is primarily intended for use in mounting on a vertical surface such as a wall, however the system is equally suitable for mounting on a horizontal or inclined surface, not excluding floors, ceilings, desk/table tops or inclined walls.

The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.