IMPROVED ARTWORK HANGING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an artwork hanger and system for using this artwork hanger. As used herein the term artwork includes articles in or on frames displayed on a wall, such as certificates, prints, pictures, photographs, maps and the like; and the term frame includes internal frames such as stretchers and external display frames used as borders.

BACKGROUND

To display artwork, such as paintings or photographs, they are often hung on walls using a picture hanging system. The picture hanging system .used is generally required to allow the artwork to be hung level and be hidden once the artwork is hung.

One common system for hanging artwork uses a string or other cable fixed to the artwork which is looped over a fitting of some sort, the fitting being fixed to the wall. The fitting fixed to the wall is often a simple hook hidden behind the artwork once the artwork is hung. Getting the string or cable to loop over the hook to initially hang the artwork can be both frustrating and time consuming.

To ease the problems of initially hanging the artwork, the fitting may consist of a rail fixed to the wall with hooks either permanently or releasably connected to it. This allows the hook to be connected to the string or cable then attached to the rail.

A problem with all string or cable systems that use hooks, is that of the cable sliding in the fitting. This sliding means that if the artwork is disturbed, or even over time, the artwork can move out of level. This is especially a problem with single hook systems though multiple hook systems can suffer as well. One alternative includes a hook that is directly clamped to the string or cable, these however can also be hard to level.

As an alternative to the cable on the artwork, some systems attach one or more d- rings or loops to the pictures and the hooks are hung from a fixing. These still have the problem of engaging the hooks with the loops and can also be difficult to level if the loops are not properly placed.

As an alternative, one or more rigid hangers can be attached to the artwork and the hanger attached to a rail. A single hanger can make it difficult to level the artwork and one or more hangers must be accurately positioned so that the artwork once hung is level. For example, one system fixes a c-shaped rail to the wall and a shaped hanger is slid inside the rail

Most of the above systems require that a fitting is permanently attached to the artwork, normally part of the frame. This can require some skill and care so as to not damage the frame. In addition it can require these fittings are changed if a different system is used from that originally used; this can cause problems in galleries.

There are more complex picture hanging systems that include matching extrusions fixed to the artwork and wall respectively; however, these normally have a high cost and require careful installation to ensure the artwork is held level.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

^• It is an object of the present invention to provide an artwork hanger and/or hanging system that overcomes one or more of the abovementioned problems associated with a traditional string or cable based artwork hanging system. It is an object of the present invention to provide an artwork hanger and/or artwork hanging system that does not require the permanent attachment of a fitting to the piece of artwork. It is a further object of the invention to provide the consumer with a useful choice.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an artwork hanger that is configured to support a piece of artwork to be displayed which includes a base and two or more spaced apart frame supports, wherein each frame support includes at least one point configured to be releasably insertable into a penetrable section of a piece of artwork.

Preferably the piece of artwork includes a frame, and said frame includes one or more penetrable sections.

Preferably the frame includes more than one penetrable section.

Preferably said base is configured to be releasably attached to a surface. In a highly preferred form said surface is a wall. It is further preferred that the base is designed to be releasably attached to the surface by one or more of the following means: bolts, screws, glue, and rivets.

Preferably the or each penetrable section is made of wood, plastic or a similar soft material.

Preferably there are two frame supports.

Preferably each frame support and/or each point is separated from each other frame support by at least 30mm. In a highly preferred form, when the art hanger is in use, each point should be spaced a minimum of 5 mm from the base.

In a hfghly preferred form each frame support includes only one point.

In a further preferred embodiment the base is a solid prism, preferably rectangular in cross section, with each frame support being a pin releasably inserted into a matching hole in the base. The exposed distal end of each pin forms the point configured to be releasably insertable into a penetrable section of a piece of artwork.

It is preferred that the artwork hanger is formed from a single piece of metal. It is further preferred that the artwork hanger is stamped from a single sheet of metal. In this form it is preferred that the surface of the metal is protected by one or more of the following means: chemical treatment, electrochemical plating, electroless plating, varnishing, painting, spraying and powder coating; though stainless steel or a similar material may be used.

In an alternative preferred form the artwork hanger is made of a plastic or composite material. In a highly preferred form this form of the artwork hanger is cast or moulded. Preferably each frame support includes a security aperture, and a security device is attached to the piece of artwork, said security device includes an essentially closed loop; the closed loop and each security aperture is dimensioned to accept a cable, said cable is configured to pass through said loop and apertures and secure the artwork to the artwork hanger.

One preferred method of using the artwork hanger includes the following steps:-

A. Fix the base to the wall with each point extending upwards; B. Place the frame over the artwork hanger such that a surface of the penetrable section is in contact with each of the points;

C. Push the artwork onto the points until the points are forced through the surface into the penetrable section;

D. Level the artwork by pressing the frame onto at least one of the points more than any other.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example, only a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-

^■ Figure 1 is an isometric view of the artwork hanger.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the picture hanging system in use, with a sectional view of the frame of the artwork.

Figure 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of the artwork hanger incorporating a security device attached to a piece of artwork.

Figure 4 is an end view of a third embodiment of the artwork hanger with two points on each frame support.

Figure 5 is a pictorial view of a fourth embodiment of the artwork hanger which uses pins as the frame supports.

Figure 6 is a pictorial view of the fourth embodiment with a central pin included.

Figure 7 is an end view of an artwork hanger which includes a rail means engaged with a picture rail. . ^■

Figure 8 is a front view of an artwork hanger constructed of a single piece of wire.

Referring to the drawings, an artwork hanger (1) is shown. The artwork hanger (1 ) includes a first frame support (2), a second frame support (3) and a base (4).

The first frame support (2) includes a first frame primary edge (10) and first frame secondary edge (11) each being opposite longitudinal edges of said first frame support (2). The second frame support (3) includes a second frame primary edge (12) and second frame secondary edge (13) each being opposite longitudinal edges of said second frame support (3). The primary edge (10,12) of each respective frame support (2,3) is attached to an opposite edge (14,15) of the base (4), such that each frame support (2,3) extends above the plane of the base (4) forming a u-shape.

A, first primary end (20) of the first frame support (2) is cut away such that the first frame secondary edge (11) forms a first point (21), likewise a second primary end (22) of the second frame support (3) is cut away such that the second frame secondary edge (13) forms a second point (23). For example a triangular section of material can be removed from each frame support (2,3) to form the point (21 ,23).

Each said point (21 ,23) is dimensioned and configured to be releasably inserted into a penetrable section (29) of a frame (30) of a piece of artwork (31), said section (29) being constructed of a penetrable material such as timber, plastic or soft metal. For example the whole frame (30) can be made of the penetrable material or if it is made of a metal or similar hard material then a piece of softer material can be inserted into a section the frame (30), forming a penetrable section of the frame (30), and the points (21 ,23) releasably inserted into this material.

The base (4) includes one or more apertures (32) dimensioned to allow one or more standard fixing devices (33) to releasably attach the artwork hanger (1) to a wall (34). The fixing devices (33) can include screws, bolts, nails or rivets.

Referring to figure 3 a second embodiment of the artwork hanger (1) is shown connected to the frame (30) of a piece of artwork (31) with a security device (50) attached. The security device (50) is a closed, or essentially closed, loop (51) of wire attached permanently to the frame (30) through which a cable (52) is threaded. Each end (53,54) of the cable (52) passes through a security aperture (55,56) in the artwork hanger (1). Each end (53,54) of the cable (50) may be releasably connected to the

other, or incorporate a reversibly enlargeable section (57,58), such as a toggle or screw on button that is larger than the security aperture (55,56) to prevent easy removal of the cable (50). The security apertures may be simply holes punched through each frame support (2,3). A single cable (50) may pass through more than one artwork hanger (1) and security device (50) on one or more piece of artwork (31).

One preferred method of using the artwork hanger (1) includes the following steps:-

A. Fix the base (4) to the wall (34) with each point (21 ,23) extending upwards;

B. Place the frame (30) over the artwork hanger (1) such that an inner edge (40) of the frame. (30) is in contact with the points (21,23);

C. Push the artwork (31) onto the points (21,23) until the points (21 ,23) are forced through the inner edge (40) into the frame (30); D. If necessary level the artwork (31) by forcing the frame (30) onto one of the points (21,23).

When the points (21 ,23) extend into the frame (30) they releasably retain the artwork (31) level and in position.

The artwork hanger (1) can be made of metal, plastic, wood or a combination of these materials.

In one embodiment the artwork hanger (1) is stamped out and formed of sheet metal either coated or uncoated. Where the coating can be one or more of the following treatments plating, painting, powder coating, metal spraying and varnishing. . It has been found that using stainless steel sheet produces an art hanger (1) which is non- staining, has the desired resilience and the required point (21 ,23) characteristics.

In a further embodiment the artwork hanger (1 ) is cast from metal or plastic.

It has been found in practice that the two points (21 ,23) or frame supports (2,3) should be spaced at least 30 mm apart. There is no real maximum spacing but in practice if an artwork hanger (1) over about 300mm is needed it has been found it is better to use two smaller artwork hangers (1). In practice it has been found that the points (21,23) should be spaced away from the surface of the wall (34) by at least 5mm, and given

the size of artwork (31) it is unlikely that they will be spaced more than 75mm from the wall (34).

Referring to figure 4 a third embodiment of the artwork hanger (1) is shown. In this embodiment each frame support (2,3) includes more than one point (21 ,23).

Referring to figure 5 a fourth embodiment is shown. In this embodiment the base (4) is a rectangular prism (though other cross sections such as triangular, pentagonal, and hexangonal would also work), and each frame support (2,3) is a pin (60,61) inserted into a matching hole (62,63) formed in the base (4). In this embodiment a distal end of each pin (60,61) forms the point (21 ,23). Each pin (60,61) may be releasably or permanently retained in their respective hole (62,63), for example the pins may be pressed, screwed, glued or welded into place. If each pin (60,61) is releasably retained then they can be changed or replaced if needed.

Referring to figure 6 a fourth embodiment is shown which includes a thirdcentral point (70) on a central pin (71), that is longer than, and between, the first and second points (21 ,23). The artwork (31) is hung so that it is initially supported only by the central point (70) and the first and second points (21 ,23) are primarily used to level the artwork (31). In the preferred form of this embodiment the central point may be dimensioned differently to the first and second points (21,23).

In a further embodiment, shown in figure 7, the base (4) includes a rail means (80) for attaching the artwork hanger (1) to a picture rail (81) of known type; this rail means (80) may be formed into or attached to the base (4). The picture rail (81) is permanently fixed to a wall and the rail means (80) engages with it, such that the artwork hanger (1) can be moved along the picture rail (81) to an optimum position.

Referring to figure 8 a further embodiment of the artwork hanger (1) is shown. In this embodiment the artwork hanger is made of a single piece of wire (85) with each distal end (86,87) forming the points (21 ,23). The wire (85) can be attached to the base (4) or in fact form the base (4). In an alternative version more than one piece of wire (85) is used.

More than one artwork hanger (1) can be used to support a piece of artwork (31).

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification is not an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.