The preseni invention relates to a device for attaching an object to a surface, and especial!)7 to a hanger for hanging objects such as framed pictures and mirrors on a wall.

Traditionally, a framed picture is hung on a wall by attaching a piece of string or cord between each vertical side of the picture frame, and using the string or cord to hang the picture from a nail, a picture hook or the like. The picture can be very difficult to align so that the top and bottom edges of the picture are horizontal. If the picture is knocked, it has to be realigned once more. Adjusting the height of the picture is similarly difficult: either the nail or picture hook must be removed from and reattached to the wall; or, the string or cord must be detached from the picture so that it can be suitably shortened or lengthened, before being reattached to the picture. The picture must then be aligned as before.

FR 2 623 073 discloses a picture hanger which is intended as a replacement for the traditional method described above. The hanger includes a length of cord, two adjustable side slides, a central slide and two side fasteners and one bottom fastener.

The cord is not attached to the picture, but passes through two fasteners at each vertical side of the picture and another fastener at the bottom of the picture, with each end of the cord being attached to the first and second adjustable slides respectively. Such an arrangement necessitates a laborious assembly process of the device before first use, and prevents the device from being used with pictures having the traditional-style cord or string described above. As the cord is attached to the picture at three points, the adjustment method is complicated. For example, adjustment of the height of the picture alone is not possible, since moving the central buckle up or down, or instead moving the two side slides towards or awa) from one another, alters both the height of the picture and its inclination from a wall.

Since the slides are intended to be moveable to and fro along the cords, they are susceptible to accidental movement. Thus if a picture is knocked, it may be necessary to readjust the position of the slides.

The central slide includes an aperture for receiving the head of a nail, which nail may be difficult to insert through the aperture since it cannot be seen from a front of a picture. The picture cannot be upturned in order to view the nail, since the cord passes through the bottom fastener.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for attaching an object to a surface, the object comprising an elongate attachment means, the device comprising gripping means for gripping the attachment means which, in use, allows movement of the attachment means relative to the gripping means in onfy one direction, the direction being longitudinal in relation to the attachment means.

The object could be, for example, a picture or mirror or a frame therefor.

The surface could be, for example, a wall, door, pillar or column, and could be vertical or inclined from the vertical.

The attachment means could be, for example, a length of cord or string as described above, or a chain or wire or the like. Alternatively, the attachment means could be rigid, for example a plastic rod. B)' a longitudinal direction is meant a direction which, whether the attachment means is straight or curved, extends along the length of the attachment means.

The gripping means allows adjustment of the attachment means in one longitudinal direction, while preventing accidental moλ^ement of the attachment means in the opposite longitudinal direction. Once the attachment means has been adjusted so that an object is in a desired position, the gripping means maintain the attachment means in that position, such that if the object is knocked, for example, there is no need to readjust its height or inclination from the horizontal.

In a first state, the position of the attachment means relative to the gripping means may be substantially fixed, and, in a second state, the attachment means may be moveable relative to the gripping means.

The gripping means are capable of preventing relative movement of the attachment means without the need for a latch, or the like.

The attachment means may comprise a cord or string attached only at two distal ends to the object at or near two opposing sides thereof respectively.

The device can be used with objects having cords or strings attached thereto in the traditional way, as described above, without the need first to remove those cords and reattach that cord, or attach a new cord, in a particular fashion. The device requires no additional fasteners to be attached to the object. The deλice may comprise two gripping means which, in use, define first and second portions between each gripping means and a respective distal end of the attachment means, each gripping means being arranged such that the length of each of the first and second portions may only be shortened. Such an arrangement of gripping means allows both the height of an object and its inclination from the horizontal to be accurately and easily adjusted, simply by pulling the attachment means through one or both of the gripping means.

The gripping means may comprise a channel and a plurality of teeth, the teeth intruding into the channel. The channel could be straight, composed of more than one straight portion, arcuate, or curved in a haphazard way.

The channel may comprise therein a centre line extending longitudinally, each tooth comprising a first side and a second side, each first side forming a first angle with the centre line of the channel, and each second side forming a second angle with the centre line of the channel, the first angle being more acute than the second angle, such that the attachment means, when within the channel, is moveable past each tooth in a direction from the first side to the second side, but is prevented from movement in the opposite direction due to interference of the second side with the attachment means.

The device may comprise a tab for urging the attachment means against the teeth. The tab may be plastically flexible, such that it may be bent upon first use of the device in order to ensure that the teeth engage with the attachment means; or, it may be elastically flexible, such that there is no need to bend it before use, and the attachment means can be removed from and reinserted in the channel with minimal difficulty. The gripping means ma)' comprise a cam roller. The cam roller ma}' engage with the attachment means such that the attachment means is slidable relative to the cam roller in a first longitudinal direction, while movement in the opposite longitudinal direction causes the cam roller to rotate, urging the attachment means against a surface of the device and thereby preventing its movement.

Opposing sides of the device may engage with corresponding sides of a bracket for supporting the device. With such a bracket arrangement, the device can be quickly removed from the bracket, in order for any adjustments to the attachment means to be made, and easily replaced; or, a device attached to a different picture could be quickly and easily placed in the bracket. Moreover, when the device is used with a traditional-style cord attached to the object at only two points, the object can be upturned so that the bracket is visible while the device is being placed in it.

According to the invention, there is also provided a method of using a device for attaching an object to a surface, the object comprising an elongate attachment means, the device comprising gripping means for gripping the attachment means which, in use, allows movement of the attachment means relative to the device only in a single direction, the direction being longitudinal in relation to the attachment means, the method comprising pulling the attachment means through the gripping means in the .single direction until a desired length of attachment means remains between the gripping means and the object, and releasing the attachment means such that the gripping means maintains the attachment means in the desired position. In order that the invention may more readily be understood, a description is now given, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device, the device being a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a plan view from above of the device of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a plan view from below of the device of Figure 2: Figure 5 is a front elevation of a bracket for use with the device of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a plan view from above of the bracket of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a plan view from below of the bracket of Figure 4; Figure 8 shows the device of Figure 2 attached to an picture; Figure 9 is a front elevation of a device, the device being an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a plan view from below of the device of Figure 9.

Referring to Figure 1, a device for hanging a picture on a wall in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 100. The device includes first 110 and second 120 gripping means, a plate 130 and first 142 and second 144 grooves.

Figure 1 shows also a cord 50, which is attached to a framed picture (not shown) in the traditional way, that being attached only at its two distal ends to, or near, two respective opposing sides of the picture. Thus the cord 50 extends from one side of the picture to the other, without attachment thereto at any other point. Each gripping means 1 10. 120 includes a channel 112. 122. a plurality of teeth 114. 124. each plurality of teeth 114. 124 intruding into the respective channel 112. 122, and a plurality of elastically-flexible tabs 1 16. 126.

When the cord 50 is inserted into the channels 112. 122. the tabs 116. 126 bend such that the cord 50 is urged against the teeth 114, 124. The cord 50 is sufficiently soft for the teeth 114, 124 to bite into the cord 50.

Each channel 112, 122 has a centre line extending longitudinally therein. Each tooth 114, 124 has a first side 102 and a second side 104, with each first side 102 forming an angle of approximately 30° with the centre line of the channel, and each second side 104 forming an angle of approximately 90° with the centre line.

In use, each tab 116, 126 is deformed by the cord 50 such that it allows the cord 50 to move past it in one direction, but urges the cord 50 against the teeth 114, 124 when the cord 50 is caused to move in the opposite direction.

In addition, the cord 50 is moveable past each tooth 114, 124 in a direction from the first side 102 to the second side 104, but is prevented from movement in the opposite direction due to interference of the second side 104 with the cord 50.

In each gripping means 110, 120, each tooth 114, 124 and each tab 116, 126 is arranged such that the cord 50 is moveable through each gripping means 110, 120 only in a direction from the groove 142, 144 towards the respective channel 112, 122. The plate 130 is substantially planar and includes a number of holes 156 for attaching the device 100 to a wall. To use the device 100. it is first affixed to a surface approximately in position, with the grooves 142. 144 towards the top. It is not necessary to position the device 100 precisely in place, nor need it be precise]}' aligned with the horizontal.

Next, the cord 50 is placed in the gripping means 110, 120 such that it passes from the first groove 142 into the first channel 112. before passing round in a loop 51 into the second channel 122 and from there into the second groove 144.

This is best seen in Figure 2, which illustrates a second embodiment of the invention and is described hereinafter.

As seen in Figure 8, such arrangement of the cord 50 in the gripping means 110, 120 defines a first portion 52 of the cord 50 extending between the first gripping means 110 and a fust distal end 56 of the cord, while a second portion 54 of the cord 50 extends between the second gripping means 120 and a second-distal end 58 of the cord 50. Each distal end 56, 58 of the cord 50 is attached to a respective side of the picture. The gripping means 110, 120 permit the length of each of the first 52 and second 54 portions of the cord 50 only to be shortened; lengthening of either portion 52, 54 requires the cord 50 to be removed from the gripping means 110, 120 and reinserted in the arrangement described above.

The height of the picture and its inclination from the horizontal are then inspected. If the position of the picture needs adjusting, appropriate adjustments made to the length of one or both of the first 52 and second 54 portions of the cord 50, by pulling the cord 50 from the loop 51 such that a portion 52, 54 moves into a respective gripping means 110, 120. These adjustments can be made while the picture is in situ. The gripping means 110, 120 ensure that the length of the first 52 and second 54 portions cannot be altered other than by pulling the cord 50 as described above. Simply knocking the picture does not overcome the grip exerted by the gripping means 110, 120 on the cord 50. Thus the picture remains in the desired position.

Figures 2 to 4 show a device 200. being a second embodiment of the invention, and comprising gripping means 210, 220 identical to those of the first embodiment.

The device 200 includes first 252 and second 254 side faces for engagement with corresponding side faces 152, 154 of a bracket 150, shown in Figures 5 to 7.

The first 252 and second 254 side faces of the device 200 converge towards a bottom edge 260 of the device, while converging also towards a rear face 258 of the device 200.

When the device 200 is inserted into the bracket 150, the rear face 258 of the device 200 abuts a front face 158 of the bracket, while the bottom edge 260 of the device is adjacent the bottom edge 160 of the bracket 150.

Thus, engagement of the first 252 and second 254 sides of the device 200 with the corresponding sides faces 152, 154 of the bracket 150 supports the device 200, while preventing the rear face 258 of the device 200 from moving away from the front face 158 of the bracket 150. The bracket 150 ma}' be affixed to a surface, such as a wall, with an}' suitable means, for example screws or nails, using the holes 156. Alternatively, the bracket 150 could be glued to the surface.

The bracket allows the device 100 to be removed from the wall before adjustments are made, while enabling the picture to be quickly and easily replaced.

Figures 9 and 10 show a device 300, being a third embodiment of the invention.

The device 300 includes first 310 and second 320 gripping means, each gripping means 310, 320 consisting of a channel 312, 322, a cam roller 314, 324 and a guard plate 316, 326.

The device 300 includes a plate 330 having four holes 356 for attaching the device 300 to a surface.

To use the device 300, it is first affixed to a surface approximately in position, with the guard plates 316, 326 towards the top.

Next, the cord 50 is placed in the gripping means 310, 320 such that it passes over the top of the first cam roller 314 into the first channel 312, before passing round in a loop into the second channel 322 and from there over the top of the second cam roller 324, as shown in Figure 9.

The guard plates 316, 326 prevent the cord 50 from slipping off the cam rollers 314, 324. The cord 50 is sufficiently flexible to curve round the cam rollers 314, 324. Such arrangement of the cord 50 in the gripping means 310. 320 defines a first portion 52 of the cord 50 extending between the first gripping means 310 and a first distal end 56 of the cord, while a second portion 54 of the cord 50 extends between the second gripping means 320 and a second distal end 58 of the cord 50. The arrangement is equivalent to that shown in Figure 8 with respect to the first and second embodiments.

Appropriate adjustments are made to the length of one or both of the first 52 and second 54 portions of the cord 50 by pulling the cord 50 from the loop 51 such that a portion 52, 54 moves into a respective gripping means 310, 320.

Pulling the cord 50 from the loop 51 causes a cam roller 314, 324 to rotate and move away from a respective channel 312, 322, allowing the cord 50 to be pulled over and round the cam roller 314, 324 until the respective portion 52, 54 is at a desired length. When the loop 51 is released, tension in the respective portion 52, 54 caused by the weight of the picture tends to lengthen that portion 525 54. Friction between the cord 50 and the cam roller 314, 324 causes the cam roller 314, 324 to rotate, such that it urges the cord 50 into the channel 312, 322, compressing the cord 50 and preventing it from movement in a direction which would lengthen that portion 52, 54.

It will be apparent that a person skilled in the art could make minor modifications to the invention as described herein, which modifications, although departing from the literal wording of the following claims, are nonetheless within the intended meaning thereof.