TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mounting means for a variety of articles, particularly pictures, on vertical surfaces.

BACKGROUND ART

The hanging of photographs, pictures, and the like tends to be a frustrating and often time-consuming exercise which, unfortunately, seldom yields the desired result of the picture being hung at the correct height, and straight.

One of the reasons for this is that these articles are often hung using picture hooks, hilti nails or similar fasteners. These are often used singly with the person hanging them being faced with trying to level a large picture by positioning it precisely on a nail which is a millimetre or two wide. Similarly, it is difficult to judge the correct height for insertion of the fastener into the wall as one has to account for the "give" in the string or picture wire attached to the frame.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a mounting element which is easy to affix, is readily aligned and levelled with the assistance of simple tools, and results in a firm and level mounting for a variety of articles. It is a further object of the invention to provide an inexpensive mounting element which may be made in a variety of sizes if required.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A mounting arrangement for releasably securing an article to a vertical surface, including a pair of members, each having a first element securable to a vertical surface or to the article and a second element offset from the first element to constitute a channel with the vertical surface or with the first element, the channel being adapted to receive the second element of the other member in clamping relationship, thereby mounting the article on the vertical surface. In the preferred form of the invention, the second element defines the channel with the vertical surface or article.

In this form, the first and second elements are integrally formed.

In an alternative form of the invention, the first and second elements define the channel.

In both forms of the invention, the first element is securable to the vertical surface and/or the article by means of fasteners, preferably screws or nail, and in the preferred form, apertures are provided in the first element for this purpose. The apertures may be countersunk.

Also in the preferred form, the first element includes a pair of mounting tabs, located either side of the first element. The mounting tabs are preferably provided with at least one vertical mounting slot and one or more apertures for nails or the like fasteners.

The mounting tabs may include raised formations to prevent the engaged channels sliding out of engagement horizontally. Alternatively, the mounting apertures may not be countersunk, in which case the heads of the fasteners would assist in preventing disengagement of the pair of elements.

In use, the second channel element is aligned on a wall, and the positions of the mounting apertures marked and checked with a spirit level to ensure that the channel element is level. Screws are then used to fasten the channel element to the wall, with the open side thereof facing upwards.

The first channel element is affixed to the picture frame or other article to be mounted. Care is again taken to ensure that the channel element is correctly aligned to be parallel to the frame or other reference surface. The channel element is fastened with the open side facing downwards when the picture is orientated the correct way up. The first channel element is then slid into the second channel element resulting in the picture being securely mounted at the required height and appropriately levelled. It is screwed in, adjustments to the level can be made by means of the elongated slots. The mounting arrangement of the invention may be used for wall-mounting a wider variety of articles, quickly, securely and efficiently.

For low mass articles, double-sided adhesive tape may be used to fasten the members to the wall and low mass article. Typically however, the one member could be fastened to the wall with screws or nails with the other member being affixed to the article with adhesive tape.

The members may be designed for the channels to comprise a variety of width and depth dimensions depending on the size and mass of the article to be mounted. A depth dimension of 45 mm has been found to have wide application with the width being varied according to the width of the article. The wall thickness of the U-shaped members may vary according to the material of the construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a sectional side view through a mounting arrangement according to the preferred form of the invention; Figure 2 is an isometric front view of one half of a pair of members of the mounting arrangement; Figure 3 is a side view of a member of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a front view of the member of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a rear view of the member of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a sectional side view through a mounting arrangement of the invention; Figure 7 is a front view of a channel element; Figure 8 is a side view of a channel element; And Figure 9 is a rear view of a channel element.

BESTMODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In Figures 1 to 5, a mounting arrangement 10 comprises a pair of members 12,14 each having a first element 16,18 securable to a vertical surface 20 or an article 22, to be mounted. Integral with the first element is an offset second element 24,26 which together with the surface 20 or article 22, constitutes a channel 28,30

The channels, being oppositely disposed, permit the second elements 24,26 to slidably engage the channel of the other member, as shown in Figure 1.

This makes for quick and effective mounting of a picture or the like once the members 12,14 of the mounting arrangements are correctly secured to a wall 20 and the picture 22, respectively, using screws.

In Figures 2 to 5, the first elements 16,18 are provided with integral mounting tabs 34 each having a vertical slot 36 for receiving screws, and three apertures 38 for receiving nails therethrough.

The slot permits height adjustment of the mounting arrangement.

Turning now to Figures 6 to 9 each member of the pair which constitutes the mounting arrangement, comprises a channel element 40 in which the first element 16., 18 and second element 24,26, define a channel 42 between them.

In this form, the members of the mounting arrangement are secured to the wall and picture or other article in the same way, using screws and/or nails. Mounting tabs 34 and slots 36 and holes 38 are provided.

The disadvantage of this form of the invention is that the article does not lie flush with the wall once mounted.