[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to various mounting devices that can be used to hang items regardless of the backing hardware configuration on the item to be hung. In some embodiments, the item to be hung is, for example, a photo, picture, frame, or decorative item. Background

[0002] Hanging pictures or other items on a wall often requires precise measurements to ensure that the picture is level, or that two pictures are aligned. Hanging a picture usually involves attachment means (e.g., nails, screws hangers, or hooks) that secure the picture to a wall. Numerous attachment mechanisms exist. Conventional picture hangers often include a hook that is fastened to the wall. Such hooks typically curve upwards and are configured for receiving a support bracket of a picture frame or piece of art.

[0003] However, there are problems with the traditional method of hanging pictures. Many attachment mechanisms require expensive or cumbersome tools for insertion. Others are able to hold only a prescribed weight such that if you wish to hang initially a light item, and then later replace it with a heavier item, you must then remove the existing picture hanger and replace it with a different one that can accommodate the heavier weight. Some attachment mechanisms come out of the wall too easily, or fall out if not applied properly or if used to hang a heavy item. And, depending upon what type of backing hardware is on the back of the picture or item to be hung, a user might need to choose a different wall hanger to accommodate the hardware on the item to be hung.

[0004] Another problem is that when the user wants to place a picture in a precise position on a wall, it may be difficult because the hook(s) on the picture frame do not line up directly with where the nail or screw is located. Additional problems exist when trying to align two different pictures, because hooks on different picture frames are not in the same location on the frame with respect to the top of the picture frame. This presents a problem because merely aligning nails on a wall does not guarantee that the pictures themselves will be aligned with each other. Figuring out where to put a nail or screw into a wall is therefor often time-consuming and tedious.

[0005] Additional problems with hanging pictures in the standard way are related to how large pictures are hung on walls. Large pictures often have multiple hooks on the frame to distribute the weight of the picture. Consequently, a user must use multiple nails or hooks, creating numerous damaged locations to the wall. Further, the user has to get the multiple nails or hooks exactly level in order for the item to be hung to be level when hung, which can be a challenging and frustrating task.

[0006] Currently, the standard way to reposition a picture that is not level or at a proper height, is to take the picture off of the wall, then remove the nail or screw from the wall, then place that nail in a different location, re-hang the picture, and determine whether the picture is at the desired height. If the picture is not at the desired height, repeat the process all over again. This process of aligning and leveling pictures through trial error is time consuming and produces unnecessary permanent holes in a user's wall.

[0007] Some hangers have been designed that attempt to overcome at least some of the above mentioned problems. For example, 3M Company sells various damage-free picture and frame hanging products that excel at resolving some of the above problems. One such product is shown in Fig. 1.

Summary

[0008] The inventors of the present disclosure recognized ways to improve the existing methods and devices for hanging or mounting items, such as, for example, pictures and frames. To that end, the inventors of the present disclosure invented various mounting devices capable of hanging or mounting, for example, a picture to a wall or vertical surface regardless of the backing hardware configuration or attachment device on the back of the picture or frame.

[0009] The inventors of the present application also or alternatively recognized that there is a need for a system that is easy to use, does not necessarily need any tools to use, is relatively inexpensive, provides secure hanging of items that come with various backing hardware configurations, and/or allows a user to quickly, and accurately adjust the position of a picture with ease.

[0010] Various embodiments of the present disclosure advantageously address some or all of the above limitations on existing wall hanging devices. For example, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mounting apparatus having at least one of the following advantages: (1) is easier to hang; (2) is damage-free to walls; and/or (3) eliminates the need for adjusting position after application.

[0011] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a mounting device, comprising: a body to which is attached a post and a foam pad. In some embodiments, the post includes a head. In some embodiments, the body is larger than one adhesive strip. In some embodiments, the body is larger than two adhesive strips. In some embodiments, the foam pad includes a first major surface including a removable adhesive and a second major surface including a semi -permanent adhesive.

[0012] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a kit, comprising: a mounting device having a body to which is attached a post; a foam pad capable of application to the body; and instructions for attaching the foam pad to the body. In some embodiments, the post includes a head. In some embodiments, the body is larger than one adhesive strip. In some embodiments, the body is larger than two adhesive strips. In some embodiments, the foam pad includes a first major surface including a removable adhesive and a second major surface including a semi -permanent adhesive.

Some embodiments relate to a method of using a mounting device. The method involves attaching the foam pad to the body; using the post to contact hardware on an item to be hung; attaching the back of the item to the foam pad; attaching the item to a wall or vertical surface; pressing the item to the wall or vertical surface; removing the item from the wall or vertical surface; removing the foam pad from the mounting device; and hanging the item on the mounting device. In some embodiments, the mounting device is any of the mounting devices described herein. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, after removing the foam pad from the mounting device, pressing on the mounting device for at least about 30 seconds. In some embodiments, the method further comprises waiting one hour before hanging the item on the mounting device. In some embodiments, the hardware on the item is at least one of a wire, a "D"-ring device, a saw-tooth device, and/or a key-hole hanger. In some embodiments, the item to be hung is at least one of a photo, picture, frame, or decorative item.

Brief Description of Drawings [0013] Fig. 1 is a photograph of a prior art picture hanger.

[0014] Figs. 2A-2B are respective perspective and exploded views of an exemplary embodiment of a picture hanger in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a schematic of the assembled picture hanger shown in Figs. 2A-2B.

[0016] Figs. 4-7 are photographs of various assembly steps for assembling the picture hanger shown in Figs. 2A, 2B.

[0017] The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Detailed Description

[0018] The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the

accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. The scope of this disclosure, however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth or shown herein.

[0019] Various embodiments and implementations will be described in detail. These embodiments and implementations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present application in any manner, and changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions described herein. For example, many of the embodiments, implementations, and examples are discussed with specific reference to photo or picture frames, but these should not be construed to limit the application scope to these exemplary implementations. Items other than photos or picture frames can be hung or mounted with the mounting device, assembly, or apparatus of the present disclosure. Further, only some end uses have been discussed herein, but end uses not specifically described herein are included within the scope of the present application. As such, the scope of the present application should be determined by the claims. [0020] Some embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to ways to convert 3M's universal picture hanger commercial product (e.g., the exemplary product shown in Fig. 1) into a self-locating picture hanger. The self-locating feature eliminates the need to calculate, measure, and mark the exact location of the hanger. This greatly simplifies the picture hanging process by reducing the number of steps to accurately locate and hang a level picture. Many embodiments of the present disclosure do not require any additional tools for installation.

[0021] Figs. 2A and 2B show one exemplary embodiment of a picture hanger 200 in accordance with the general teachings herein. Picture hanger 200 includes a hanger body 205 to which is attached (1) a post 210 with a head 220 and (2) a foam pad 230. The specific embodiment shown in Figs. 2A-2B is sized for one adhesive (e.g., Command™) strip, however, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the design could be sized for two or more adhesive strips. In many embodiments, foam pad 230 has a "removable" adhesive on the side attached to picture hanger 200 and a "semi-permanent" adhesive on the side that attaches to the back of a picture or frame. In some embodiments, one or both of the adhesive portions includes a liner to protect the adhesive until the user attaches it to the picture or foam pad 230.

[0022] In some embodiments, the following steps can be used to apply the picture hanger to a wall and/or a picture or frame: attaching the foam pad to the hanger body; using the post on the hanger to pull taut a wire on a picture frame; attaching the back of the picture frame to the foam pad; attaching the picture frame to a wall; pressing the picture hanger to the wall; removing the picture from the wall;

removing the foam pad from the picture hanger; and hanging the picture frame on the picture hanger.

[0023] In some embodiments, the following steps can be used to apply the picture hanger to a wall and/or picture or frame: ( 1) remove the liner on the foam pad (e.g., see Fig. 3); (2) pull the wire (where present) on the frame taut with the post on the hanger, and be sure the post is centered on the wire (e.g., see Fig. 4); (3) while holding the wire taut, attach the foam on the picture hanger to the back of the picture, thus temporarily attaching the picture hanger to the picture; (4) remove the liners on the mounting strips (at this point, the picture is ready to be hung); (5) attach the picture to the wall and press the area of the universal hanger to the wall (e.g., see Fig. 6); (6) remove the picture, remove the foam pad and press on the picture hanger for approximately 30 seconds (e.g., see Fig. 7); and (7) wait one hour and hang your picture. Not all of these steps are required.

[0024] In instances where the frame does not include a wire but instead includes a different backing hardware configuration. Exemplary backing hardware configurations include, but are not limited to, a "D"-ring, saw-tooth, key-hole hangers, etc. the above method can be used substituting the wire for the attachment device listed above.

[0025] All of the embodiments described herein can be used 3M™ COMMAND™ Adhesive or Picture Hanging Strips. In some embodiments, the adhesive strips are picture hanging strips such as, for example, those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,692,807 and 6,572,945, both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. In general, picture hanging strips, as used herein, refer to an adhesive tape construction that is removable from one or more objects to which it is adhered and which is reusably separable within its construction so that an object can be separated from another and subsequently reconnected with one another. The adhesive tape construction can be used to bond the other opposed surfaces of objects, including rigid objects such as a picture frame to a wall, where no portion of the adhesive tape construction projects from between the objects, and which subsequently affords easy separation of the objects without damage to either of them. More specifically, the adhesive tape construction includes a stretch release adhesive tape structure combined with a reusable connector surface. Exemplary commercially available picture hanging strips include 3M™ COMMAND™ Picture Hanging Strips.

[0026] Those having skill in the art will appreciate that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments and implementations without departing from the underlying principles thereof. Further, various modifications and alterations of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.