ITEM HANGER

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part patent application of and claims priority to prior filed co-pending Non-provisional Patent Application Serial No. 11/191,195, filed on July 27, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Homes, museums, offices, schools, and other places utilize wall hangings, such as pictures and paintings, for decoration and other purposes. The wall hangings are typically supported on the wall with a hook and require maneuvering to get the wall hanging level or straight.

SUMMARY

[0003] In one embodiment, the invention provides a hanger adapted to support a wall hanging on a structure. The hanger includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket includes a horizontal member and a second member. The horizontal member includes a length and a track that extends the length of the horizontal member. The track is defined by a base, a first wall, and a second wall. The second wall has a height that is greater than a height of the first wall. The first bracket is adapted to be secured to the structure. The second bracket is adapted to receive the wall hanging and includes a protrusion adapted to be received by the track.

[0004] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hanger adapted to support a wall hanging on a wall. The hanger includes a first fixture and a second fixture. The first fixture includes a horizontal base, a channel in the horizontal base, and an aperture adapted to receive a fastener to secure the first fixture to the wall. The second fixture is adapted to receive the wall hanging and includes a first surface, and a protrusion having a base extending outwardly from the first surface and a lip extending downwardly from the base. The lip is adapted to engage the channel in the horizontal base.

[0005] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hanger comprising a T-shaped bracket including a channel. The T-shaped bracket is adapted to be secured to a wall of a building. A second bracket includes a protrusion with a first surface, a base extending

outwardly from the first surface, and a lip extending downwardly from the base. The lip is adapted to engage the channel in the T-shaped bracket.

[0006] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a hanger according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the hanger of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 A illustrates a perspective view of a bracket of the hanger of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a second construction of a bracket of the hanger of FIG. 1

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the bracket of FIG. 3.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a bracket of the hanger of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the bracket of FIG. 5.

[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a bracket of the hanger of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the bracket of FIG. 7.

[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of hangers of FIG. 1 mounted to wall studs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and

terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary hanger or coupling assembly 10 adapted to support a wall hanging 14 on a wall 18. The coupling assembly 10 enables the wall hanging 14 to be releaseably coupled to the wall 18. It is noted that the coupling assembly 10 can be used to support objects other than wall hangings 14, such as shelves, lighting fixtures, and other items.

[0019] The coupling assembly 10 includes a first fixture or bracket 22 adapted to be mounted to the wall 18 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The bracket 22 can be comprised of plastic, aluminum, other metal materials, or other rigid materials. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4, the bracket 22 includes a generally horizontal member 26 and a generally vertical member 30. It is noted that the bracket 22 can be one of a variety of shapes and does not require the vertical member 30. The vertical member 30 can be integral with the horizontal member 26 or releaseably coupled to the horizontal member 26.

[0020] The horizontal member 26 includes at least one track 34. hi the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 A, 3B, and 4, the track 34 is in the form of a U-shaped channel that extends along the length of the horizontal member 26. The track 34 includes a stop 38 positioned along the track 34 at an end 42 of the horizontal member 26. The track 34 can also include a second stop 38 positioned along the track at a second end 46 of the horizontal member 26. The stop(s) 38 can be integral with the horizontal member 26 or a separately inserted piece in the track 34.

[0021] The track 34 includes a base 50 and a first wall 54 and a second wall 58 that extend upwardly from the base 50. The first wall 54 and the second wall 58 each comprise a length, a height, and a width. The length of the first wall 54 and the second wall 58 is generally the same as the length of the horizontal member 26. It is noted that the length of the first wall 54 and/or the second wall 58 can vary from the length of the horizontal member 26. The height of the second wall 58 is greater than the height of the first wall 54. The height of the stop(s) 38 can vary, but is generally less than the height of the second wall 58.

[0022] The bracket 22 may be configured to support a level (such as a bubble level) to assist the user in verifying that the wall hanging 14 will be appropriately situated on the wall 18 when coupled to the wall 18. For example, the level can be positioned and supported on

the first wall 54 of the horizontal member 26. Alternatively, the bracket 22 can include a level embedded or mounted in the horizontal member 26 and/or the vertical member 30.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4, the vertical member 30 and/or horizontal member 26 can include one or more apertures 62. Each aperture 62 is adapted to receive a fastener 66 such as a screw, a bolt, or a nail. In the construction illustrated in FIG. 3 A, an axis positioned through the aperture 62 is generally oriented to be perpendicular with respect to a front surface 70 and a rear surface 74 of the horizontal member 26 and/or vertical member 30. hi some constructions, and as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the horizontal member 26 includes a plurality of apertures 64, which can be formed such that an axis positioned through the aperture 64 can be oriented at an angle 78 with respect to the front surface 70 and the rear surface 74 of the horizontal member 26 and/or the vertical member 30. The fastener 66 is inserted through the aperture 64 and secures the bracket 22 to the wall 18.

[0024] The hanger 10 also includes a bracket 82 (illustrated in FIGS. 5-8) adapted to be mounted to the wall hanging 14. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a first embodiment of the bracket 82 (referred to as 82A). The bracket 82A includes a first side 86 and a second side 90. The first side 86 includes a T-shaped protrusion 94 located toward one end 98 of the bracket 82A and is adapted to be received in the track 34 in the horizontal member 26. The protrusion 94 extends outwardly with respect to the first side 86. The protrusion 94 includes a base 102, a first lip 106, and a second lip 110. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first lip 106 is upwardly directed and the second lip 110 is downwardly directed. However, the bracket 82 A can be flipped when in use and, therefore, the first lip 106 could be downwardly directed and the second lip 110 could be upwardly directed. The first lip 106 and the second lip 110 of the protrusion 94 are generally complementary-shaped with respect to the track 34, which is adapted to engage the first lip 106 or the second lip 110. For example, the first lip 106 and/or the second lip 110 can be chamfered for ease of positioning the bracket 82 A with respect to the bracket 22. In one embodiment, the bracket 82A may slide along the track 34 between the two stops 38. The stops 38 prevent the bracket 82A from sliding off the track 34.

[0025] The first side 86 of bracket 82A also includes a plurality of apertures 114 adapted to receive a fastener 118 such as a screw, a bolt, or a nail. The aperture 114 extends through a width of the bracket 82 A. In the construction illustrated in FIGS. 5-6, an axis positioned through the aperture 114 is generally oriented to be perpendicular with respect to the first side 86 and the second side 90. The fastener 118 is inserted through the aperture 114 and adapted

to secure the bracket 82 A to the backside of the wall hanging 14. The second side 90 of the bracket 82 A is generally flat to correspond with the backside of the wall hanging 14.

[0026] The bracket 82A can be releaseably secured to the backside of a frame or border of the wall hanging 14. The bracket 82A can be coupled to the bracket 22 (e.g., the first lip 106 or the second lip 110 engages the track 34) to support the wall hanging 14. It is noted that a plurality of brackets 82 A can be mounted to the backside of a frame or border and used to support the wall hanging 14 in the bracket 22 or brackets 22.

[0027] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the bracket 82 (referred to as 82B) adapted to be mounted to the wall hanging 14. The bracket 82B includes a first side 122 and a second side 126. The first side 122 includes an L-shaped protrusion 130 located at an end 134 of the bracket 82B and is adapted to be received in the track 34 of bracket 22. The protrusion 130 extends outwardly with respect to the first side 122. The protrusion 130 includes a base 138 and a downwardly directed lip 142. The downwardly directed lip 142 of the protrusion 130 is generally complementary-shaped with respect to the track 34. For example, the lip 142 can be chamfered for ease of positioning the bracket 82B with respect to the bracket 22 (e.g., the lip 142 is adapted to engage the track 34). In one embodiment, the bracket 82B may slide along the track 34 between the two stops 38. The stops 38 prevent the bracket 82B from sliding off the track 34.

[0028] The first side 122 also includes a plurality of apertures 146 adapted to receive a fastener 150 such as a screw, a bolt, or a nail. The fastener 150 is inserted through the aperture 146 and adapted to secure the bracket 82B to the backside of the wall hanging 14. The second side 126 of the bracket 82B is generally flat to correspond with the backside of the wall hanging 14.

[0029] The bracket 82B can be releaseably secured to the backside of a frame or border of the wall hanging 14. The bracket 82B can be coupled to the bracket 22 (e.g., the downwardly directed lip 142 engages the track 34) to support the wall hanging 14. It is noted that a plurality of brackets 82B can be mounted to the backside of the frame or border and used to support the wall hanging 14 in the bracket 22 or brackets 22.

[0030] Most buildings (homes, offices, and other buildings) include walls having certain dimensional constraints. For example, many walls include studs or beams 154 configured in a parallel arrangement and located 10", 14", 16", or 18" apart measured from a center of each

stud or beam, thereby leaving a width between studs or beams 154 of between 2 and 6 inches less than these dimensions (e.g., 8.5", 12.5", 14.5", and 16.5"). These and other standard spacings between wall studs or beams 154 represent possible constraints upon the size, shape, weight, and location of a wall hanging, such as the wall hanging 14.

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of hangers 10 that can support wall hanging 14. A heavy wall hanging 14 may require more than one bracket 22 secured to more than one wall stud or beam 154 to support the weight. Also, the size of a wall hanging 14 may not permit the use of a wall stud or beam 154 due to the width between the wall studs or beams 154. In addition, the desirable location of the wall hanging 14 on the wall 18 may not permit the use of a wall stud or beam 154. A plurality of hangers 10 can be utilized to support the wall hanging 14 regardless of the size of the wall hanging 14. The bracket 22 is secured to the wall stud or beam 154 and the horizontal member 26, which extends to the left and/or right of the stud or beam 154, can receive the bracket 82A, 82B. Therefore, the wall hanging 14 can be variously sized and still be coupled to the wall 18 at a desired location regardless of stud or beam 154 location.

[0032] Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.