The present invention relates to a hanging device for attaching cupboards, shelves and the like to a flat surface such as a wall.

There are many known hanging devices such as simple screws and nails for attaching, inter alia, cupboards to walls. More complex hanging devices involving specialist fixtures are also known which require the cupboard to have part of the fixture fitted thereto and the other part of the fixture attached to the wall such that the joining together of the parts of the fixture results in the cupboard being mounted to said wall. Such traditional fixtures and fittings are, however, difficult to mount on the wall in such a way that the cupboard is level once it is in place. It is also easy for a cupboard which has been attached to a wall by traditional means such as a screw fastening to be knocked off the screw when the cupboard is in use.

According to the present invention, there is therefore provided a hanging device as set out in Claim 1.

According to the present invention there is provided a wall mountable object comprising a hanging device according to the invention.

Such a hanging device enables a cupboard to be mounted in a level position with very few tools and without any prior DIY experience. The hanging device may be used to attach a variety of products, such as cupboards, shelving units and the like, to a flat surface or wall (particularly, to a vertical wall) or the like without the need for any specialist tools or complex fixtures and fittings.

The body is preferably relatively flat as it will normally be positioned between the back surface of the wall mounted object and the wall. It is suitably of thickness in the range 2mm -100mm, preferably 5mm-50mm.

The first and second apertures are preferably displaced with respect to one another. They are preferably searched by a distance in the range 50rnrn-500mm, more preferably 75mm-200mm. Distances are determined between centres of respective apertures. The apertures are preferably displaced with respect to one another in a direction which, in use, will be horizontal or substantially horizontal. The apertures are preferably displaced with respect to one another in a direction which, in use, will be horizontal or substantially horizontal. The further the apertures are, the more accurate the adjustment can be. However, the apertures are most preferably no further apart that the width of the wall mounted object so that they are not visible when the wall mounted object is in position.

The second aperture should lie wholly outside the first aperture.

The first and second apertures preferably extend all the way through the body from a front surface to a rear surface which is for contacting the wall in use.

The adjuster (and the second adjuster, where present) is preferably a cam adjuster and adjustment of the location of the hanging device may be made by rotating the cam adjuster within the first aperture. This design is particularly easy to construct and use. Preferably, the aperture comprises a hole and the cam adjuster comprises a circular disc rotatably mounted in the hole, the fixture hole being positioned eccentrically in the disc. The hole may be of any shape that touches the edge of the disc in at least two places to hold it. The hole may be circular. It may comprise a (preferably round-ended) slot, which also provides the opportunity to shift the position of the disc laterally. Where there are two adjusters, one may comprise a round hole and the other a slot.

Means may be provided for resisting slippage of the adjuster with respect to the first aperture. For example corresponding ridges may be formed on the adjuster and walls

adjacent the first aperture. These may be brought into locking engagement in use by the weight of a structure suspended on the body or by the force of the fixing members.

By providing two adjusters, adjustment is very flexible and easy to accomplish.

The body preferably comprises a spirit level phial. This allows the user to determine accurately when the body is level.

Preferably, there are at least two fixing members, each of which passes through a respective one of the first and second apertures. Preferably, the fixture hole is not the same as the first aperture, although it will be contained within the adjuster which will be located within the first aperture.

The fixing members each preferably comprise screws, bolts or nails.

Preferably, the body has a support surface for supporting at least part of the wall mounted object. Preferably, the support surface is integral with the body. Preferably it comprises an inclined surface which slopes so that, when in position on a wall surface, it defines an acute angle with the adjacent wall surface.

The wall mounted object may have a corresponding formation which engages the support surface. The weight of the wall mounted object will cause it to sit firmly in the acute angle formed with the wall, making a stable support.

In addition, the wall mounted object may be secured to the hanging device by way of one, two, or more locking members. This allows the object to be securely fixed.

Preferably, the wall mounted object can be initially positioned on the body using the support surface and subsequently secured in position.

The locking members may comprise any suitable members, for example, screws or nuts and bolts.

The wall mountable object may comprise a recessed formation on a face which, in use faces the wall, the hanging device being located, in use, in the recess.

The body preferably comprises a central portion and two end portions. The hanging device may be supplied as a kit of parts comprising the two end portions and a central portion of indeterminate length, whereby the central portion may be cut to the desired length.

In another embodiment, the hanging device comprises a central portion and two end portions, mating formations being provided for connecting the central portion to each of the end portions. Preferably, the hanging device is supplied as a kit of parts comprising the two end portions and a plurality of central portions which can be connected together to provide the desired length. The central portion may comprise an injection moulded part.

The body and any components thereof may be formed of any suitable material. They are preferably formed of synthetic polymeric material, for example thermoplastic material, or wood or wood base material, or metal, for example steel or aluminium.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the hanging device of the present invention without a cupboard or shelf or similar attached;

Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the hanging device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a cupboard which is suitable for being hung by way of the hanging device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a locking member for use in the attachment of a cupboard or the like to the hanging device of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the hanging device of the present invention in (a) an exploded perspective view, (b) a front view and (c) a side view; and

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the hanging device of the present invention.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the hanging device 1 comprises a relatively flat body having a central portion 3 which has a first end portion 5 and a second end portion 7 attached thereto. The central portion 3 is shown in the form of an extruded spacer. A first aperture 6 in the shape of an elongate slot is provided in the first end portion 5 which aperture receives in use a cam adjuster 9.

A second aperture 8, as can be seen in Figure 2, is provided in the second end portion 7 which aperture also receives in use a cam adjuster 9.

Each cam adjuster 9 comprises a circular disc having a slot 13 in a central location therein. There is also provided off-centre within the cam adjuster 9 a fixture hole 15 which is suitable for receiving a screw or nail or the like (not shown) for attaching the hanging device 1 to the wall or flat surface.

The first and second end portions 5, 7 also each comprise an elongate hole 19 for receiving in use a securing member 11. Said securing member 11 is used for the attachment of the cupboard, shelves or the like to the hanging device 1 as will be described in due course.

The hanging device is for mounting against a wall with the flat face visible in figures 1 and 2 facing out and the opposite facing lying against the wall.

The top edges 12 of the end portions 5 and 7 are inclined so that, in use, they will form an acute angle with the wall.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3, use of the hanging device 1 will now be described.

In order to mount a cupboard 21 onto a vertical wall or flat surface (not shown), the hanging device 1 must initially be attached to the wall or surface in the location where the cupboard 21 is to be mounted.

First of all, the hanging device 1 is placed against the wall or surface in the chosen cupboard location. A spirit level phial 17 is provided in the central portion 3 of the hanging device 1 to enable the user to ensure that the hanging device 1 is placed in a level position on the wall or surface. Once the hanging device 1 is in its chosen location, a pencil or similar may be used to mark on the wall or surface the location of the holes 15 within the cam adjusters 9. Once the hanging device 1 has been removed, suitable holes in the wall or surface may then be drilled which correspond in location to the holes 15.

The hanging device 1 is then placed in position over the holes drilled in the wall or surface and screws or nails or the like (not shown) are then used to attach the hanging device 1 onto the wall or surface by way of the holes 15.

Alternatively, holes may be drilled through the holes 15 in the hanging device 1 without removing the hanging device 1 from the wall. Also, depending on the fixings being used to attach the hanging device 1 to the wall, it may not be necessary to pre-drill holes in the wall.

Once the hanging device 1 is attached to the wall, it may be the case that the hanging device 1 is not as level as the user had hoped. It is common in using such hanging devices that, due to the inaccuracy of drills or the workmanship of the user, the hanging device is not located as required in the first instance.

Advantageously, with the hanging device 1 of the present invention, the cam adjusters 9 allow the positioning of the hanging device 1 to be altered after the initial attachment of the hanging device 1 to the wall or surface.

Alteration or adjustment of the location of the hanging device 1 is achieved by rotating the cam adjusters 9 until the spirit level phial 17 indicates that the hanging device 1 is in

a level position. Rotation of the cam adjusters 9 may be achieved by inserting a screwdriver or flat-ended tool or the like into the slots 13 in the cam adjusters 9.

Preferably, the cam adjusters 9 are provided with radiating ridges on the rear faces of the cam adjusters and corresponding radiating ridges are provided on a rebated face of the interior of the first and second apertures 6, 8 such that when the cam adjusters 9 are fully tightened, the ridges lock together to thereby stop the hanging device 1 from slipping or moving, in particular when under load. The ridges will be fine, having a depth of not more than 2mm to allow rotation of the cam adjusters before tightening.

The cupboard 21 is then hung on the hanging device with a support formation (not shown) resting in the acute angle formed between the inclined tops 12 of the end portions 5 and 7 and the wall. The cupboard can then be secured to ύie hanging device 1 by way of the locking members 11. The locking members 11 are inserted through the holes 23 which are located on the back surface of the cupboard 21, preferably towards the centre of the back surface of the cupboard. The locking members 11 have a substantially flat head 25 and an elongate cylindrical body 27, as shown in Figure 4. The bodies 27 of the locking members 11 extend through the holes 23 in the cupboard 21 and are fastened within the elongate holes 19 in the hanging device 1. More exact widthwise positioning of the cupboard 23 may be achieved by altering the position of the locking members 11 within the elongate holes 19.

hi an alternative embodiment, the central portion 3 and the first and second end portions 5, 7 are formed integrally as a single piece. However, the advantage of having a separate central portion 3 is that the first and second end portions 5, 7 can be manufactured as standard units for use with a variety of cupboards, shelving units and the like and the central portion 3 can be made as a separate unit for later attachment to the first and second end portion 5, 7. Such a production process enables the hanging device 1 to be produced in a suitable size to correspond to the cupboard with which it is to be used. This reduces manufacturing and production costs because fewer standard parts are required.

In a further embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 5, a single cam adjuster 9 is provided at a first end portion 5 of the hanging device 1. Instead of a second cam adjuster 9, a simple slotted screw hole 30 is provided at the second end portion 7. Fixing members 28 are inserted through the fixture hole provided within the cam adjuster 9 and the simple slotted screw hole 30 to attach the hanging device 1 of this embodiment to the wall or the like.

This embodiment provides some adjustment of the positioning of the hanging device 1 but is less adjustable than the aforementioned embodiments comprising two cam adjusters. However, this embodiment is less costly to produce.

Figure 6 shows a yet further embodiment of the invention. It comprises end parts 32 and 33 which are substantially the same as the end parts described in Figure 1 and will not be described further in detail. However the end portion 33 comprises the integral spirit level 34.

Further, a different mechanism is provided for locking the cam adjuster 43 with respect to the slot 44. The non slip formation comprises a plurality of ridges 42 formed around the whole of the peripheral face of the cam adjuster and a plurality of ridges 41 on corresponding peripheral faces of the walls of the slot 44. When the body 31 is not under load, the ridges ride over one another. When a cabinet or similar structure is placed on the body 31, the weight causes the ridges to lock together, preventing slippage between the cam adjuster 43 and the slot 44.

The end portions are designed to be releasably connected to a central portion 35, formed of injection moulded plastics material.

The first end portion 32 comprises a female connector portion 39 engageable with a corresponding push fit male portion 38 formed at one end of the central portion 35. There is a corresponding female portion at the other end of the central portion 35 and a male portion 36 formed on the second end portion 33 for forming a push-fit connection with the female portion 37. Line 40 denotes a centre line formed graphically or by

moulding on the surface of the centre portion 35 to assist the user in aligning the product.

It can be seen that, if required, two identical or different central portions 35 could be slotted together to increase the distance between the end portions 32 and 33.

The present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications can be made within the spirit of the invention, which extends to equivalents of the features described. The invention also consists in any individual features described or implicit herein or shown or implicit in the drawings or any combination of any such features or any generalisation of any such features or combination.