BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a device and kit to retain hanging objects and, more particularly, to a device and kit to retain hanging objects that is wall mounted and does not require any modification of or additional structures mounted to the hanging object.

2. Related Art

As is known in the art, hanging objects such as picture frames frequently and inevitably shift from a true centered or desired position. This can be caused by cleaning or other forces that may cause a wall to vibrate.

Anchoring devices are known in the art to attempt to overcome these causes and hold such hanging objects in a constant position. For example U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,673 to Klein and U.S. Pat. No. 2,643,840 to Lanman disclose a two-part device that attaches to a picture frame and a wall. Mating groove and ridge elements prevent lateral displacement. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,382 to Bonfils and U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,654 to Chandonnet et al. disclose a similar two-part device except that magnets are used.

Unfortunately, in all known instances in the prior art, the two-piece arrangement is unnecessarily expensive and often difficult to install, given the number of steps needed and the alignment of 4 pieces between the wall and the picture frame. Further, in the case of a fragile, antique, or valuable frame, there is no desire to mount additional hardware that could lower the value or integrity of the frame. Thus, while various devices are known to achieve the goal of holding a frame or various other hanging objects in place, none have demonstrated the simplicity and abilities of the current design. The improvements needed, which are encompassed in the current design, include lower cost to manufacture, ease of installation, flexible application, and durability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device and kit to retain hanging objects and, more particularly, to a device and kit to retain hanging objects that is wall mounted and does not require any modification of or additional structures mounted to the hanging object.

In one embodiment, the device can have at least one base having two faces, a first face configured to be adjacent to the wall and an opposite second face, and at least one tab extending from and at approximately right angles to the second face. Various means of attaching the base can be used such as adhesives, nails, and the like. Where a nail is used, the base can have a hole to allow passage of the nail.

In use, the device can have one tab or two tabs at right angles. Where two tabs are used, the device is suited for placement at a lower corner of a frame.

The device may be presented as a kit having a plurality of identical bases or a variety of sizes and shapes. Double sided adhesive tape or nails may also be provided, as well as packaging.

Other features of the present invention will become more apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing features, as well as other features, will become apparent with reference to the description and figures below, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of alternate base shapes of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention in use; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a kit of a first embodiment of the present invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device and kit to retain hanging objects and, more particularly, to a device and kit to retain hanging objects that is wall mounted and does not require any modification of or additional structures mounted to the hanging object.

The present invention has been developed to address several needs in the art. There are several types of objects that are desired to be mounted on a wall such as pictures, mirrors, quilts, tapestries, clocks, porcelain, baskets, artwork, and the like. For simplicity and as an example of using the present invention, a basic device to prevent lateral movement of a square picture frame is described, though all types of wall hangings could be considered when using the present device. In most instances, wall hangings are affixed to a wall from a single point on a wall from which the object may hang. Unfortunately, this single point allows lateral sway of the object like a pendulum when wall vibrations and other disturbances touch the object.

Although the art has attempted to resolve the lateral sway issue, it often requires adding hardware to the object itself. This is not desirable or even possible in many instances, so the object is under constant need of straightening. The present invention requires no such additional hardware to inhibit lateral sway.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show examples of a base that may be applied to a wall adjacent to a user-centered hanging object. FIG. 1 would be best suited for a square object, such as a picture frame or mirror. FIG. 2 shows other types of bases (12a-d) that could be used for the same purpose but merely altered in shape to accommodate different types of hanging objects. These could be used for a round porcelain plate (12a) or a tapestry (12b). In any event, each example accomplishes the goal of the present invention in the same way and are provided to assist in understanding the invention and not to limit other applications or shapes.

Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a device 10 to retain a hanging object on a wall. Device 10 minimally can have at least one base 12 having two faces, a first face 14 configured to be adjacent to the wall and an opposite second face 16 configured to be adjacent to the hanging object. Base 12 also has at least one tab 18 extending from and at approximately right angles to second face 16. FIGS. 1 and 2 (12d) shows base 12 having two tabs 18; FIG. 2 (12a-c) shows one tab 18. Further, tab 18 on base 12d and 12c have an additional tab 20 extending over second face 16 and at approximate right angles to tab 18. Tab 20 would provide additional contact to a hanging object, such as a tapestry.

Device 10 can be affixed to a wall using a variety of means known in the art, such as nails or adhesives. Hole 22 can be added to base 10 to allow a nail to pass. Adhesives can be used in a variety of manners. Adhesive can be pre-applied to first face 14 (not shown, but well known in the art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,673 to Klein). In this instance, a protective sheet 24 placed over the adhesive can be removed prior to applying to the wall. Optionally, the adhesive may be applied to first face 14 using a double sided adhesive tape 26 with protective sheets 24 applied to each side of the tape.

Device 10 may be part of a kit that has components needed to inhibit lateral sway of a hanging object. As shown in FIG. 4, such kit may contain a plurality of bases 12. These could include a supply of identical bases or a variety of shapes and sizes. The kit can also include a supply of nails 28 and packaging 30 to allow storage and transport of all components.

FIG. 3 illustrates device 10 in use to inhibit lateral movement of a square picture frame. As shown, base 12 has two tabs 18 at right angles to allow placement at a bottom corner of the frame. In this instance, a second base 12 could be applied to the other bottom corner to further inhibit lateral movement.

A user having a kit of the present invention could securely hang the object from the wall and align it to a desired or straight position. If a square picture frame is hung, the user could take protective sheet 24 off the back of the adhesive. Next, they could pull the frame out slightly from the wall to allow base 12 to slide behind the frame until the corner of the frame touched the tab. Where base 12 has only one tab, anywhere along a side of the frame could be used for placement, but preferably on the lower half of the frame. Where base 12 has two tabs, the base would be moved to touch both sides of the frame. Once proper placement has been established, the user could next apply pressure to base 12 to allow the adhesive to fix the base to the wall. The frame could then be allowed to rest against second face 16, with the edge or edges of the frame immediately adjacent to tabs 18. This process could be repeated for the other side of the frame.

The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards; thus, the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.