CA2125518C

CA2125518C - Picture positioning device

Info

Publication number: CA2125518C
Application number: CA 2125518
Authority: CA
Inventors: John H. Reble
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-06-09
Filing date: 1994-06-09
Publication date: 2002-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2014-06-09
Also published as: CA2125518A1

Abstract

A device for temporarily hanging and positioning pictures and the like, including at least one upright member supported between the floor and the ceiling, a horizontal member attachable to the vertical member at various positions therealong, a series of picture hanger supports located at intervals along the horizontal member, diagonal bracket means extending between the upright and horizontal members, and longitudinal adjusting means on the upright elements, leveling means associated with the horizontal member.

Description

-PICTURE POSITIONING DEVICE

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for hanging pictures. In particular, it provides a way of temporarily positioning a picture to be hung without the trouble of trial and error and the resulting damage to walls.
Most rooms in homes, apartments, and offices contain artwork such as paintings, photographs, posters, or other visual ornaments which are intended to be hung on walls. Most people who have an appreciation for such artwork are particular about the proper positioning and location of such artwork with respect to its height, and its horizontal spacing with respect to other objects and windows, etc.
This means that hanging pictures usually requires two people, one to hold it while the other observes and indicates the desired position. Even then the person holding the picture interferes with the visual perception and the person holding the picture cannot stand back and observe.
This sometimes means that pictures are hung by trial and error and have to be moved one or more times to get the right effect so that unnecessary damage to the walls is created.

2~2~:l8 It is therefore the purpose of this invention to provide a means whereby pictures can be hung against a wall temporarily in their position and visual relationship to other features in the room. It is also the purpose of this invention to provide a means whereby the position of a picture may be determined, and the exact location of the picture hanger can be located correctly the first time.
It is also the purpose of this invention to provide means whereby a picture can be hung in its desired location for a short period of time while the owner decides whether the location and position are appealing or desirable. It is also designed to provide means whereby a picture may be hung by someone alone without the assistance of another person.
These objects and other advantages may be achieved by the present invention which comprises at least one upright member extending upwardly from the floor, a horizontal member attachable to the upright member by means which are vertically adjustable at various locations on the upright member, hanging means by which a picture hanging device may be supported at various locations on the horizontal member.

-Ideally, the device would include two upright members with a horizontal bar extending between them. The fastening means may include a series of holes on the upright members and ~he horizontal members through which fasteners or pegs might be inserted. In one embodiment the upright members may be extendable so as to be held between the floor and ceiling of a room. Diagonal cross braces may be employed to provide rigidity and a bubble level may be employed to position the horizontal member horizontally.
The invention may be better understood by a description of one embodiment thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front elevation view of the device in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the device in Figure 1.
Figure 1 illustrates a picture 2 (shown in dotted lines because it does not form part of the invention) with a wire support 4 which is intended to be hung on the wall 6. In order to position the picture before installing a hanger, it is placed in position by means of the device 10 which forms one embodiment of this invention.

212~18 _ This positioning device includes a pair of upright struts 12 which extend between the floor 14 and the ceiling 16 with sufficient compression force to be held thereby.
A horizontal strut 20 extends between the upright struts 12 and is connected thereto by fasteners at 22 and 24 which extend through any pair of holes along the length of the upright piece and along the length of the horizontal - piece.
In the illustrated embodiment a bubble level 30 is provided to determine when the horizontal strut 20 is level.
Additional braces 32 are provided at a diagonal position between holes on the horizontal strut and holes on the upright struts, remote from the connections 22 and 24 so that the angular configuration of the device is maintained more or less rigid and constant.
Because each of the elements, including the upright members 12, the horizontal member 20, and the diagonal brackets 32 are long slender pieces, the device may be dismantled and stored in a relatively small space.

- 212~18 When it is desirable to use the device, the upright members can be extended to approximately the length between the floor and the ceiling. Then by means of base members 34 threadably engaging the bottom of the upright members 12, the exact length can be extended to create a snug fit between the floor and the ceiling sufficient to hold the upright members in place. Preferably, pads 36 on the upper ends will prevent damage or marks on the ceiling.
Before the upright members are rigidly fixed in place, a cross member 20 can be fastened at approximately the height where the picture hanger is likely to be located by means of bolts or other fasteners which can be inserted through the holes 21 in the horizontal and upright pieces.
It should be appreciated, of course, that other means might be used to facilitate the attachment of the horizontal member to the vertical members, such as elongated slots in each member, or a clamp or bracket means which would allow the horizontal and upright members to be fixed at any location.

21255~8 The ideal embodiment illustrated includes diagonal braces 32 which can also be fastened between the horizontal and upright members to maintain rigidity, although it may be possible to use the invention without these. Similarly, alternative fastening means, such as slots to receive fasteners or clamps, may be used to fix the diagonal brackets.
Since the device contemplates movement of the - picture or objet d'art back or forth, it is desirable that the horizontal member be approximately level. Therefore, the illustrated embodiment includes a built-in bubble to facilitate the correct positioning of the horizontal member.
Because the device is intended to be use temporarily, and because it is designed to provide a simple and quick adjustment means, the attachment of the horizontal upright and diagonal members might be facilitated by something as simple as a series of pegs 18 insertable in the holes of the respective members.

212~S18 To hang the picture temporarily in the selected position, a conventional picture hanger 8 can be attached to one of the holes of the horizontal member and the picture hung as illustrated in Figure 1. By relocating the horizontal member the vertical adjustment can be modified, and by changing the position of the picture hanger on the horizontal member, the horizontal location may be varied, and the picture - may be left on this temporary support until the user is satisfied that the correct location i5 determined. It is then only necessary to mark a spot on the wall corresponding to the hole or location on the horizontal member where the picture hanger is located, and the hanger can be mounted on the wall for permanent hanging of the picture.
Thus by the method and apparatus of the present invention, a picture may be supported for temporary hanging or trial or error positioning and a picture hanger may be inserted at the desired position without difficulty or unnecessary damage to the walls.
It will, or course, be realized that numerous modifications and variations to the illustrated embodiment may be employed without departing from the inventive concept herein.

Claims

1. A device for hanging pictures and objects of art in a room having walls, floor and ceiling, said device comprising:
- at least one upright member supportable on said floor;
- a horizontal member adjustably supported at various heights by said at least one upright member;
- means adjustably located along said horizontal member for attaching a hanger for said pictures and objects of art.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said upright member is longitudinally adjustable to extend between and be held by said ceiling and floor.

3. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2 in which said horizontal member is supported between two of said vertical members.

4. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 3 including at least one diagonal member extending between said horizontal member and at least said vertical member to maintain the horizontal and vertical relationship thereof.

5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 3 in which said horizontal member has a series of holes therealong for receiving said hanger.

6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 3 in which said vertical members and diagonal members have a series of holes spaced longitudinally thereon to facilitate connection between said members.

7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 3 in which said horizontal member has a spirit level mounted thereon.